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Karl Marx University - Hungary 7/13/89 [OA 8748] [2]
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Karl Marx University - Hungary 7/13/89 [OA 8748] [2]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Mark Davis Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S; 1998-0194-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Davis, Mark, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1989-1991
OA/ID Number:
13872
Folder ID Number:
13872-011
Folder Title:
Karl Marx University-Hungary, 7/13/89 [2]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
19
2
6
5
Davis/Martin
July 6, 1989
Title: b:karl
Draft: Two
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: KARL MARX UNIVERSITY
July 12, 1:15 p.m.
Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Csaki (CHAH-kee). It's a pleasure
to be back in Budapest, and I am proud to be the first American
President to visit Hungary.
Some might find it ironic that I am speaking at a university
named after Karl Marx. ((And I have to admit, from my vantage
point, he does seem to be staring right at me ...)) But those
who know this great university know just how fitting this forum
is for an American President to address the people of Hungary.
After all, it is said that Tramline Number Two runs the
nation, since it originates at Karl Marx and makes stops at the
National Center, Parliament and the Central Committee. Many
great Hungarian leaders have also moved along this same route,
among them Miklos (MEEK-losh) Nemeth (NAY-met) and Mihaly (MEE-
hi) Simai (SHE-mi-ee). But before any of them, there was a
teacher at Karl Marx University, and his name was Imre (EEMH-ray)
Nagy (NUDGE). ((PAUSE))
As the slow reburial procession moved through Heroes'
Square, the rising voice of Hungary was heard in the singing of
the National Hymn. And in this simple, somber ceremony, the
world saw something more than a dignified act of reconciliation.
2
We witnessed an act of truth. It is on this foundation of truth,
more solid than stone, that Hungarians have begun to build a new
future
a generation waited to honor Imre (EEMH-ray) Nagy's
(NUDGE'S) courage; may a hundred generations revere it.
While Hungary rediscovers its natural role in the affairs of
Europe, America is rediscovering Hungary. One of the most
popular non-fiction books in my country today is entitled
Budapest 1900. Dr. John Lukacs lovingly describes the Budapest
of memory, with its proud stock exchange and great opera; a time
when Europe's first electric subway ran underneath the handsome
shops of Andrassy Avenue.
A city that rivaled Paris in its splendor
Vienna in
its music
London in its literature. A center of learning
that enlightened the world, and gave America one kind of genius
in Joseph Pulitzer, and another in Bela Bartok. But for decades,
this great city, this great nation, so central to the continent
in every respect, was torn from Europe and the West.
Today Hungary is opening again to the West -- becoming a
leading light in European culture. I see people in motion. I
see color and creativity replacing grey conformity. The
atmosphere of Hungary is electric, alive with optimism.
Your people and your leaders -- government and opposition
alike -- are not afraid to break with the past, to act in the
spirit of truth. And what better example of this could there be
than one simple fact: Karl Marx University has dropped Das
Kapital from its required reading list
3
Historians say that Marxism arose out of a humane impulse.
But Karl Marx traced only one thread of human existence, and
missed the rest of the tapestry -- the colorful and varied
tapestry of civilization. Marx regarded Man as a hapless being
shaped by impersonal economic forces. But Man is more than that.
He is artistic. He has an innate need to create and enjoy
beauty. He is a loving member of a family, and a loyal patriot
to his people. And Man is something else which cannot be denied
he is a creature of God
The creative genius of the Hungarian people, long
suppressed, is again flourishing in your schools, your
businesses, your churches. This is more than a fleeting season
of freedom. It is Hungary returning home.
Voices long stilled are being heard again. An independent
daily newspaper is now sold on the streets. Commercial radio and
television stations, financed by American companies, will soon
broadcast everything from the news
to the pop music of Huey
Lewis and the News. Even more dramatic, Radio Free Europe is
opening its first Budapest bureau.
Along your border with Austria, the ugly symbol of Europe's
division and Hungary's isolation is coming down, as the barbed
wire fences are rolled into bales. For the first time, the Iron
Curtain has begun to part. And Hungary is leading the way.
The Soviet Union has withdrawn many troops, which I take
also as an early sign that Europe's division is nearing an end.
And as they leave, let the Soviet leaders know they have
4
everything to gain, and nothing to lose or fear, from peaceful
change. We can work together to move beyond containment, beyond
the Cold War.
But all of these developments, as significant as they are,
pale before the fact that Hungary is at the threshold of great
and historic change. You are writing a new constitution -- a
Hungarian Rights of Man that will sanction democratic, multi-
party elections.
This is possible because brave men and women have formed
opposition parties. And this is possible because Hungarian
leaders are showing the ultimate political courage -- the courage
to submit their names before the people.
But to succeed in reform, you will need partners -- partners
to help promote lasting change in Hungary. I am here to offer
Hungary the partnership of the United States of America.
Three vital spheres stand, out in our partnership --
economics, democratic and cultural exchange, and the environment.
INVESTMENT IN HUNGARY
The United States believes in the acceleration of change,
not in its delay. So this our guiding principle -- the United
States will offer assistance not to prop up the status quo, but
to propel reform.
Of course, the dead weight of the past still burdens
Hungarian enterprise. There are remnants of the Stalinist
economy -- huge, inefficient industrial plants; the bewildering
5
price system no one understands; the massive subsidies that cloud
economic decisions -- all of this slows what you could otherwise
achieve. It's an economic Rubik's Cube that defies solution.
To make the transition to a productive economy will test
your mettle as a people. The prices of some commodities may
rise. Some inefficient factories will close. But the Hungarian
government has already started to leave the business of running
shops to shopkeepers and of farms to farmers. And the creative
drive of the people, once unleashed, will create a momentum of
its own. This will bring you a greater treasure than the riches
you will create. It will give each of you control over your
destiny
a Hungarian destiny.
Just look to the West of the Danube -- your European
neighbors are forming a single market. Soon you will have the
chance to trade with this new economic colossus. But, as I said,
the United States will also be your partner in this
transformation to a successful competitive economy. I am here to
announce the following measures.
First, as you know, I will propose at the Paris Economic
Summit the formation of a Consortium for Poland and Hungary, to
back your reforms with economic and technical assistance programs
from the Summit partners. Of course, our program for Hungary
will be targeted to your needs.
Second, I will ask the U.S. Congress to authorize a $25
million grant to establish a Hungarian-American Enterprise
6
Foundation, a source of new capital to invigorate the Hungarian
private-sector.
Third, once your Parliament passes the new emigration
legislation proposed by your Council of Ministers, I will inform
our Congress that Hungary is in full compliance with our 1974
Trade Act. Hungary will then qualify for the maximum most-
favored nation trade status under U.S. law.
Fourth, America is prepared to provide your country with
access to our Generalized System of Preferences, which offers
selective tariff relief. Simply put, these last two measures
will open the door to the largest single market in the world.
In the United States, the vibrancy and strength of our
economy relies on the creativity of millions of small businesses.
Therefore, I am pleased to note our fifth measure, the formation
of the Hungarian Enterprise Group, which will match venture
capital, both foreign and Hungarian, with entrepreneurs -- the
small businessmen and -women with the grand ideas.
Sixth, we have concluded a draft agreement to authorize the
Overseas Private Investment Corporation to operate in Hungary.
Once our Senate passes enabling legislation, OPIC will be able to
provide insurance to encourage American investment in private
enterprises in Hungary. The American investment company, Bear-
Stern, has already established a special "Hungary Fund" to pool
resources to purchase shares in Hungarian companies.
What does private investment mean for Hungary? Yesterday,
at Kossuth Square, I quoted the words of that great Hungarian
7
patriot. But it was. another Hungarian patriot, a contemporary of
Kossuth, Count Szechenyi (SAY-chaney), who coined a phrase in his
great work on economics: "Some think that Hungary has been; I
like to think it will be. Of this we are sure -- Hungary will
be great again.
DEMOCRATIC AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
(( (These are the economic proposals I will discuss with your
leaders. But I also hope this visit leads to a wider exchange
between East and West, so our scientists, our artists and our
environmentalists can learn from one another
So that our
soldiers and statesmen discuss peace and our students discuss the
future. ))) ( (PAUSE) )
In such exchanges, we want to help you in your quest for a
new beginning as a democratic Hungary. So the United States is
committing more than $6 million to private cultural and
educational opportunities in Eastern Europe. We will make
available funds for a series of major new U.S. -Hungarian exchange
programs -- among Congressmen and legislative experts, among
labor and business leaders, among legal experts, among community
leaders, educators and young people. We are creating dozens of
fellowships to enable Hungarians to study at American
universities. And we will fund endowed chairs in American
studies at your universities
and
books -- many thousands of
them -- to fill the shelves of your American Management Institute
and the libraries of schools and universities across Hungary.
8
The United States will also open, within the next two years,
an America House in the center of Budapest. The celebrated
American architect Robert Stern will design the plans for this
center, which will be an open house of books, magazines and
videocassettes -- an open house of ideas.
When it comes to the language of America, the teaching of
English is one of our most popular exports. As students you know
that English is the lingua franca of world business, the key to
clinching deals from Hong Kong to Toronto. So to open the global
market to more Hungarians, I am pleased to announce that the
Peace Corps will, for the first time, operate in a European
country. And our Peace Corps instructors will come to Budapest
and all 19 counties to teach English.
ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE
To learn a language, to start a business, or to work for a
candidate in a free election, is to embark on a great adventure.
But to realize a promising future, we must also protect our basic
common heritage -- the environment. Six weeks ago, in Mainz, I
proposed cooperation between East and West on environmental
issues. What a tragedy it would be if your continent was again
spoiled, this time not by war, but by a more subtle and insidious
danger -- that of poisoned rivers and acid rain.
Hungary has led Eastern and Central Europe in addressing the
concerns of your citizens for cleaner air and water. And you are
leading the way in environmental agreements with the West.
9
( (Substance to come))
CONCLUSION
In our economic, cultural and environmental relations, we
have much to share and learn from each other. The United States
is especially determined to stand by Hungary as you meet an
enormous challenge. No Communist nation has yet attempted what
Hungary is already doing -- to build democracy and a free market.
I see a great Hungarian future in the bright faces of your
students. But not all young people in the East have as much
freedom as you do. Certainly not your brothers and sisters in
Transylvania.
Your press recently reported that a Romanian girl was lost
in the Maros River. We don't know exactly sure how she died. We
do know that if she had been traveling from Hungary to Austria,
she would have received nothing more than a friendly wave from
the border guard. But she attempted to cross the Maros, and paid
with her life
Her two brothers made it across safely.
We do not know the torments that drove her to risk her life.
But we do know her heart. It is the heart of Anne Frank and
Jamos (Yanosh) Hertelendy (HAN-Yawn-dee). It is the heart of
youth determined to live in freedom
Throughout the Communist world today, as a younger
generation prepares to assume power, a great debate is underway.
In this debate, Moscow advocates limited political freedom, but
10
without economic rights. Beijing practices limited economic
freedom, but without political liberty. Where are political and
economic liberty peacefully advancing together? In Hungary.
The people of Hungary know it is not enough to let men and
women purchase what they want or cast a symbolic vote. They must
be allowed to say what they believe. They must be allowed to
choose their government. Limited freedom, whether it is economic
or political, will not provide sufficient room for the restless
human spirit.
Benjamin Franklin, the sage of the American Revolution, said
that love of liberty and the rights of man should someday become
so widespread, "that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on
the surface (of the earth) and say: This is my country.'
Because of your courage, that is the Hungary we can see
before us; a better Hungary, a greater Hungary, a place any
countryman of freedom could call home.
Thank you and God bless you all.
#
#
#
Hungaran Anecdotal Information:
#1.
Student Elections held at the end of the
school year. Student Dear + Student Body
elected at end of year to serve 3 day
term - only occupy offices for one day
Nothing of substance transpires The
elections are a tradition and serve
as a method of keeping the ideas of
campaigning + elections alive in a
Communist atmosphere. -political awareness
2.
Karl Mary University's initials are the same
as the Hungarian Royal University -MKE
Because of how liberal Karl Marx Univ.
is, the Hungariens think the name
should be changed to Hungarian
Royal University A bonus point IS that
non of T-shirts, stickers, banner, etc.
would have to be reprinted
#3.
Shandor (Alexander) Petofi
National Poet - -wrote athen which every
Hungarian can recite
At the beginning of the revolution he
jumped up on the steps of the national
musen and recited the 12 pts from the
Austriens which became the battle cry In
1840 - march Is - killed battle of uncertain
denise
4.
Prince Ference Rakoczi II
National hero in 18th century, wisual
because he was a nobleman He used to fight using
castles as forts, the enemy ended up destroying
all the Castle trying to fight him which is why there
are no castles in Hungary today.
Transaualian Prince
#5
Arpad Father of Hungrary
Led the tribes to the area; the slaws
acknowledged by Slaws when slows gave
Apad a pail of water+ a showel of dirt signifying
their independence as a "nation" 896 BC)
#b.
St. Steven 1 King Steven
Responsible for uniting tribes into a nation.
made Hungary a permanent part of Westers
Europe. The Pope crowned him King and
crown is still the symbol of Hungary. It
shows up in a great deal of European
artwork and is recognizable by the bent
Crown.
Sticky to talk about crown.
#7.
Count Szecny
Founded Library. "Patron SAINT' of the
intellectuals.
#8.
Examples of Hungary's golden ea. 100 yrs. ago
Almost all the buildings in Pest were
built in 1870 - 1940
Two of the most successful enterprises in
the European as well as world were
founded: Ganz mavag + Manfred Wienz
Great examples of hungarian engineering
business. who However government tookover
these industries in '56 and now they are
failing to the point of bankruptcy.
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1988 May 31
I ever held, Governor of California. Yes, I
of standing in a line outside a prison when
had served as president of my union, the
someone in the crowd recognizes her as a
In the last few years, freedom for the arts
Remarks and a Question-and-Answer
Screen Actors Guild. Yes, in that role I'd led
well-known poet. She continues, "Then a
has been expanded in the Soviet Union.
a successful strike by the union against the
Session With the Students and Faculty
woman standing behind me, whose lips
Some poems, books, music, and works in
at Moscow State University
studios. And, yes, I'd campaigned actively
were blue with cold and who, naturally
other fields that were once banned have
for a number of candidates for office, in-
enough, had never even heard of my name,
May 31, 1988
been made available to the public; and
cluding candidates for President. But I was
emerged from that state of torpor common
some of those artists who produced them
still known primarily as an actor.
to us all and, putting her lips close to my
The President. Thank you, Rector Lo-
In the movie business, actors often get
have been recognized. Two weeks ago, be-
ear-there everyone spoke in whispers-
gunov, and I want to thank all of you very
what we call typecast, that is, the studios
cause of the work of the Writers Union, the
asked me, 'And could you describe this?'
much for a very warm welcome. It's a great
come to think of you as playing certain
first step was taken to make the Pasternak
pleasure to be here at. Moscow State Uni-
And I answered her, 'I can.' Then some-
kinds of roles; so those are the kinds of roles
home at Peredelkino into a museum. In the
thing vaguely like a smile flashed across
versity, and I want to thank you all for turn-
they give you. And no matter how hard you
what once had been her face."
meantime, some artists in exile-the stage
ing out. I know you must be very busy this
try, you just can't get them to think of you
director Yuri Lubimov, for example-have
week, studying and taking your final exami-
That exchange-"can you describe. this?"
in any other way. Well, politics is a little
been permitted to return and to work, and
"I can"-is at the heart of acting as it is of
nations. So, let me just say zhelayu vam
like that, too. So, I've had a lot of time and
artists who are here have been allowed a
poetry and of so many of the arts. You.get
uspekha [I wish you success]. Nancy
reason to think about my role not just as a
greater range.
inside a character, a place, and a moment.
couldn't make it today because she's visiting
citizen turned politician but as an actor
You come to know the character in that
We in the United States applaud the new
Leningrad, which she tells me is a very
turned politician.
In looking back, I believe that acting did
instant not as an abstraction, one of the
thaw in the arts. We hope to see it go fur-
beautiful city, but she, too, says hello and
people, one of the masses, but as a particu-
ther. We hope to see Mikhail Baryshnikov
wishes you all good luck.
help prepare me for the work I do now.
lar person-yearning, hoping, fearing,
and Slava Rostropovich, artists Mrs. Reagan
Let me say it's also a great pleasure to
There are two things, two indispensable les-
loving-a face, even what had once been a
and I have seen perform in Washington,
once again have this opportunity to speak
sons, that I've taken from my craft into
public life. And I hope you won't think it
face, apart from all others; and you convey
perform again in Moscow. We hope to see
directly to the people of the Soviet Union.
excessively opportune if I use the words of
that knowledge. You describe it, you de-
the works of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn pub-
Before I left Washington, I received many
scribe the face. Pretty soon, at least for me,
lished in the land he loves. And we hope to
heartfelt letters and telegrams asking me to
a Soviet filmmaker to explain one of them.
it becomes harder and harder to force any
see a permanent end to restrictions on the
carry here a simple message, perhaps, but
He was, after all, one of the world's greatest
member of humanity into a straightjacket,
creativity of all artists and writers. We want
also some of the most important business of
filmmakers, and so, like so many of your
artists, indeed, like so many of you, belongs
into some rigid form in which you all
this not just for your sake but for our own.
this summit: It is a message of peace and
good will and hope for a growing friendship
in a broader sense to all of humanity.
expect to fit. In acting, even as you develop
We believe that the greater the freedoms in
It was during the production of "Ivan the
an appreciation for what we call the dra-
other countries the more secure both our
and closeness between our two peoples.
Terrible" when Eisenstein noted that in
matic, you become in a more intimate way
own freedoms and peace. And we believe
As you know, I've come to Moscow to
making a film, or in thinking through any
less taken with superficial pomp and cir-
that when the arts in any country are free
meet with one of your most distinguished
detail of it, which to my mind would in-
cumstance, more attentive to the core of
to blossom the lives of all people are richer.
graduates. In this, our fourth summit, Gen-
the soul-that part of each of us that God
eral Secretary Gorbachev and I have spent
clude the acting of a part, in his words,
William Faulkner said of poets-although
"The most important thing is to have the
holds in the hollow of his hand and into
many hours together, and I feel that we're
he could have been speaking of any of the
which he breathes the breath of life. And
getting to know each other well. Our dis-
vision. The next is to grasp and hold it. You
arts-it is the poet's privilege to help man
you come to appreciate what another of
cussions, of course, have been focused pri-
must see and feel what you are thinking.
endure by lifting his heart, by reminding
marily on many of the important issues of
You must see and grasp it. You must hold
your poets, Nikolay Gumilev, meant when
Hus.
he wrote that "The eternal entrance to
him of the courage and honor and hope and
the day, issues I want to touch on with you
and fix it in your memory and senses. And
God's paradise is not closed with seven dia-
pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice
in a few moments. But first I want to take a
you must do it at once." To grasp and hold
which have been the glory of our past. The
little time to talk to you much as I would to
a vision, to fix it in your senses-that is the
mond seals. It is a doorway in a wall aban-
poet's voice need not merely be the record
any group of university students in the
very essence, I believe, of successful leader-
doned long ago-stones, moss, and nothing
ship not only on the movie set, where I
more."
of man. It can be one of the props, the
United States. I want to talk not just of the
pillars, to help him endure and prevail.
realities of today but of the possibilities of
learned about it, but everywhere. And by
As I see it, political leadership in a de-
tomorrow.
the way, in my many dealings with him
mocracy requires seeing past the abstrac-
Thank you for having me here today and
for sharing your thoughts with me, and God
Standing here before a mural of your rev-
since he became General Secretary, I've
tions and embracing the vast diversity of
found that Mr. Gorbachev has the ability to
humanity and doing it with humility, listen-
bless you all.
olution, I want to talk about a very different
revolution that is taking place right now,
grasp and hold a vision, and I respect him
ing as best you can not just to those with
for that.
Note: The President spoke at 1:44 p.m. in
quietly sweeping the globe without blood-
high positions but to the cacophonous
The second lesson I carried from acting
the dining room at the A. Fadeyev Central
shed or conflict. Its effects are peaceful, but
voices of ordinary people and trusting those
they will fundamentally alter our world,
into public life was more subtle. And let me
millions of people, keeping out of their way,
House of Men of Letters. He was introduced
shatter old assumptions, and reshape our
again refer to a Soviet artist, a poet-again,
not trying to act the all-wise and all-power-
by Vladimir Vasilievich Karpov, first secre-
lives. It's easy to underestimate because it's
one of the world's greatest. At the begin-
ful, not letting government act that way.
tary of the board of the U.S.S.R. Writer's
not accompanied by banners or fanfare. It's
ning of "Requiem," Anna Akhmatova writes
And the word we have for this is freedom.
Union. A tape was not available for verifi-
been called the technological or informa-
cation of the content of these remarks.
tion revolution, and as its emblem, one
702
703
might take the tiny silicon chip, no bigger
monosov, knew that. "It is common knowl-
forehead, he becomes bright and clever.
will see children being taught the Declara-
than a fingerprint. One of these chips has
edge," he said, "that the achievements of
And I've been trying to figure out where
tion of Independence, that they are en-
more computing power than a roomful of
science are considerable and rapid, particu-
the angel kissed you so that you should sit
dowed by their Creator with certain un-
old-style computers.
larly once the yoke of slavery is cast off and
there for so long and do nothing." [Laugh-
As part of an exchange program, we now
alienable rights-among them life, liberty,
replaced by the freedom of philosophy."
ter]
have an exhibition touring your country
and the pursuit of happiness-that no gov-
You know, one of the first contacts between
We are seeing the power of economic
that shows how information technology is
ernment can justly deny; the guarantees in
your country and mine took place between
freedom spreading around the world. Places
transforming our lives-replacing manual
their Constitution for freedom of speech,
Russian and American explorers. The Amer-
such as the Republic of Korea, Singapore,
labor with robots, forecasting weather for
freedom of assembly, and freedom of reli-
icans were members of Cook's last voyage
Taiwan have vaulted into the technological
farmers, or mapping the genetic code of
gion.
on an expedition searching for an Arctic
era, barely pausing in the industrial age
DNA for medical researchers. These micro-
Go into any courtroom, and there will
passage; on the island of Unalaska, they
along the way. Low-tax agricultural policies
computers today aid the design of every-
came upon the Russians, who took them in,
in the sub-continent mean that in some
preside an independent judge, beholden to
thing from houses to cars to spacecraft; they
years India is now a net exporter of food.
no government power. There every defend-
and together, with the native inhabitants,
even design better and faster computers.
Perhaps most exciting are the winds of
ant has the right to a trial by a jury of his
held a prayer service on the ice.
They can translate English into Russian or
The explorers of the modern era are the
change that are blowing over the People's
peers, usually 12 men and women-
enable the blind to read or help Michael
entrepreneurs, men with vision, with the
Republic of China, where one-quarter of
common citizens; they are the ones, the
Jackson produce on one synthesizer the
the world's population is now getting its
only ones, who weigh the evidence and
sounds of a whole orchestra. Linked by a
courage to take risks and faith enough to
network of satellites and fiber-optic cables,
brave the unknown. These entrepreneurs
first taste of economic freedom. At the
decide on guilt or innocence. In that court,
and their small enterprises are responsible
same time, the growth of democracy has
the accused is innocent until proven guilty,
one individual with a desktop computer and
become one of the most powerful political
and the word of a policeman or any official
a telephone commands resources unavail-
for almost all the economic growth in the
movements of our age. In Latin America in
has no greater legal standing than the word
able to the largest governments just a few
United States. They are the prime movers
of the technological revolution. In fact, one
the 1970's, only a third of the population
of the accused.
years ago.
Like a chrysalis, we're emerging from the
of the largest personal computer firms in
lived under democratic government; today
Go to any university campus, and there
the United States was started by two col-
over 90 percent does. In the Philippines, in
you'll find an open, sometimes heated dis-
economy of the Industrial Revolution-an
lege students, no older than you, in the
the Republic of Korea, free, contested,
cussion of the problems in American society
economy confined to and limited by the
democratic elections are the order of the
and what can be done to correct them.
Earth's physical resources-into, as one
garage behind their home. Some people,
day. Throughout the world, free markets
Turn on the television, and you'll see the
economist titled his book, "The Economy in
even in my own country, look at the riot of
are the model for growth. Democracy is the
legislature conducting the business of gov-
Mind," in which there are no bounds on
experiment that is the free market and see
standard by which governments are meas-
ernment right there before the camera, de-
human imagination and the freedom to
only waste. What of all the entrepreneurs
ured.
bating and voting on the legislation that
create is the most precious natural resource.
that fail? Well, many do, particularly the
We Americans make no secret of our
will become the law of the land. March in
Think of that little computer chip. Its value
successful ones; often several times. And if
belief in freedom. In fact, it's something of
any demonstration, and there are many of
isn't in the sand from which it is made but
you ask them the secret of their success,
a national pastime. Every 4 years the Amer-
them; the people's right of assembly is guar-
in the microscopic architecture designed
they'll tell you it's all that they learned in
ican people choose a new President, and
anteed in the Constitution and protected by
into it by ingenious human minds. Or take
their struggles along the way; yes, it's what
1988 is one of those years. At one point
the police. Go into any union hall, where
the example of the satellite relaying this
they learned from failing. Like an athlete in
there were 13 major candidates running in
the members know their right to strike is
broadcast around the world, which replaces
competition or a scholar in pursuit of the
the two major parties, not to mention all
protected by law. As a matter of fact, one of
thousands of tons of copper mined from the
truth, experience is the greatest teacher.
the others, including the Socialist and Lib-
the many jobs I had before this one was
Earth and molded into wire. In the new
And that's why it's so hard for govern-
ertarian candidates-all trying to get my
being president of a union, the Screen
economy, human invention increasingly
ment planners, no matter how sophisticat-
job. About 1,000 local television stations,
Actors Guild. I led my union out on strike,
makes physical resources obsolete. We're
ed, to ever substitute for millions of individ-
8,500 radio stations, and 1,700 daily news-
and I'm proud to say we won.
breaking through the material conditions of
uals working night and day to make their
papers-each one an independent, private
But freedom is more even than this.
existence to a world where man creates his
dreams come true. The fact is, bureaucra-
enterprise, fiercely independent of the gov-
Freedom is the right to question and
own destiny. Even as we explore the most
cies are a problem around the world.
ernment-report on the candidates, grill
change the established way of doing things.
advanced reaches of science, we're return-
There's an old story about a town-it could
them in interviews, and bring them togeth-
It is the continuing revolution of the mar-
ing to the age-old wisdom of our culture, a
be anywhere-with a bureaucrat who is
er for debates. In the end, the people vote;
ketplace. It is the understanding that allows
wisdom contained in the book of Genesis in
known to be a good-for-nothing, but he
they decide who will be the next President.
us to recognize shortcomings and seek solu-
the Bible: In the beginning was the spirit,
somehow had always hung on to power. So
But freedom doesn't begin or end with
tions. It is the right to put forth an idea,
and it was from this spirit that the material
one day, in a town meeting, an old woman
elections. Go to any American town, to take
scoffed at by the experts, and watch it catch
abundance of creation issued forth.
got up and said to him: "There is a folk
just an example, and you'll see dozens of
fire among the people. It is the right to
But progress is not foreordained. The key
legend here where I come from that when
churches, representing many different be-
dream-to follow your dream or stick to
is freedom-freedom of thought, freedom
a baby is born, an angel comes down from
liefs-in many places, synagogues and
of information, freedom of communication.
your conscience, even if you're the only one
heaven and kisses it on one part of its body.
mosques-and you'll see families of every
The renowned scientist, scholar, and found-
in a sea of doubters. Freedom is the recog-
If the angel kisses him on his hand, he be-
conceivable nationality worshiping togeth-
ing father of this university, Mikhail Lo-
nition that no single person, no single au-
comes a handyman. If he kisses him on his
er. Go into any school room, and there you
thority or government has a monopoly on
704
705
May 31 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1988
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1988 / May 31
the truth, but that every individual life is
on human freedom. It comes, not from the
infinitely precious, that every one of us put
literature of America, but from this country,
all life, which is faith. Such change will lead
on this world has been put there for a
It's my fervent hope that our constructive
from one of the greatest writers of the 20th
to new understandings, new opportunities,
reason and has something to offer.
cooperation on these issues will be carried
century, Boris Pasternak, in the novel "Dr.
to a broader future in which the tradition is
America is a nation made up of hundreds
on to address the continuing destruction of
Zhivago." He writes: "I think that if the
not supplanted but finds its full flowering.
of nationalities. Our ties to you are more
beast who sleeps in man could be held
conflicts in many regions of the globe and
That is the future beckoning to your gen-
than ones of good feeling; they're ties of
that the serious discussions that led to the
down by threats-any kind of threat,
eration.
kinship. In America, you'll find Russians, Ar-
whether of jail or of retribution after
At the same time, we should remember
Geneva accords on Afghanistan will help
menians, Ukrainians, peoples from Eastern
death-then the highest emblem of human-
that reform that is not institutionalized will
lead to solutions in southern Africa, Ethio-
Europe and Central Asia. They come from
ity would be the lion tamer in the circus
always be insecure. Such freedom will
pia, Cambodia, the Persian Gulf, and Cen-
every part of this vast continent, from
tral America.
with his whip, not the prophet who sacri-
always be looking over its shoulder. A bird
every continent, to live in harmony, seeking
ficed himself. But this is just the point-
on a tether, no matter how long the rope,
I have often said: Nations do not distrust
a place where each cultural heritage is re-
what has for centuries raised man above the
can always be pulled back. And that is why,
each other because they are armed; they
spected, each is valued for its diverse
beast is not the cudgel, but an inward
in my conversation with General Secretary
are armed because they distrust each other.
strengths and beauties and the richness it
music-the irresistible power of unarmed
Gorbachev, I have spoken of how important
If this globe is to live in peace and prosper,
brings to our lives. Recently, a few individ-
truth."
it is to institutionalize change-to put guar-
if it is to embrace all the possibilities of the
uals and families have been allowed to visit
relatives in the West. We can only hope
The irresistible power of unarmed truth.
antees on reform. And we've been talking
technological revolution, then nations must
that it won't be long before all are allowed
Today the world looks expectantly to signs
together about one sad reminder of a divid-
renounce, once and for all, the right to an
of change, steps toward greater freedom in
ed world: the Berlin Wall. It's time to
expansionist foreign policy. Peace between
to do so and Ukrainian-Americans, Baltic-
the Soviet Union. We watch and we hope as
remove the barriers that keep people apart.
nations must be an enduring goal, not a
Americans, Armenian-Americans can freely
I'm proposing an increased exchange pro-
tactical stage in a continuing conflict.
visit their homelands, just as this Irish-
we see positive changes taking place. There
are some, I know, in your society who fear
gram of high school students between our
I've been told that there's a popular song
American visits his.
that change will bring only disruption and
countries. General Secretary Gorbachev
in your country-perhaps you know it-
Freedom, it has been said, makes people
discontinuity, who fear to embrace the
mentioned on Sunday a wonderful phrase
whose evocative refrain asks the question,
selfish and materialistic, but Americans are
hope of the future. Sometimes it takes faith.
you have in Russian for this: "Better to see
"Do the Russians want a war?" In answer it
one of the most religious peoples on Earth.
Because they know that liberty, just as life
It's like that scene in the cowboy movie
something once than to hear about it a hun-
says: "Go ask that silence lingering in the
itself, is not earned but a gift from God,
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,"
dred times." Mr. Gorbachev and I first
air, above the birch and poplar there; be-
they seek to share that gift with the world.
which some here in Moscow recently had a
began working on this in 1985. In our dis-
neath those trees the soldiers lie. Go ask my
"Reason and experience," said George
chance to see. The posse is closing in on the
cussion today, we agreed on working up to
mother, ask my wife; then you will have to
several thousand exchanges a year from
ask no more, 'Do the Russians want a
Washington in his farewell address, "both
two outlaws, Butch and Sundance, who find
forbid us to expect that national morality
themselves trapped on the edge of a cliff,
each country in the near future. But not
war?' But what of your one-time allies?
with a sheer drop of hundreds of feet to the
everyone can travel across the continents
What of those who embraced you on the
can prevail in exclusion of religious princi-
raging rapids below. Butch turns to Sun-
and oceans. Words travel lighter, and that's
Elbe? What if we were to ask the watery
ple. And it is substantially true, that virtue
why we'd like to make available to this
dance and says their only hope is to jump
graves of the Pacific or the European bat-
or morality is a necessary spring of popular
government." Democracy is less a system of
into the river below, but Sundance refuses.
country more of our 11,000 magazines and
tlefields where America's fallen were
periodicals and our television and radio
buried far from home? What if we were to
government than it is a system to keep gov-
He says he'd rather fight it out with the
shows that can be beamed off a satellite in
ernment limited, unintrusive; a system of
posse, even though they're hopelessly out-
ask their mothers, sisters, and sons, do
numbered. Butch says that's suicide and
seconds. Nothing would please us more
Americans want war? Ask us, too, and you'll
constraints on power to keep politics and
urges him to jump, but Sundance still re-
than for the Soviet people to get to know us
find the same answer, the same longing in
government secondary to the important
things in life, the true sources of value
fuses and finally admits, "I can't swim."
better and to understand our way of life.
every heart. People do not make wars; gov-
Just a few years ago, few would have
ernments do. And no mother would ever
found only in family and faith.
Butch breaks up laughing and says, "You
imagined the progress our two nations have
willingly sacrifice her sons for territorial
But I hope you know I go on about these
crazy fool, the fall will probably kill you."
made together. The INF treaty, which Gen-
things not simply to extol the virtues of my
And, by the way, both Butch and Sundance
gain, for economic advantage, for ideology.
eral Secretary Gorbachev and I signed last
own country but to speak to the true great-
made it, in case you didn't see the movie. I
A people free to choose will always choose
December in Washington and whose instru-
peace.
ness of the heart and soul of your land.
think what I've just been talking about is
ments of ratification we will exchange to-
Who, after all, needs to tell the land of
perestroika and what its goals are.
Americans seek always to make friends of
morrow-the first true nuclear arms reduc-
Dostoevski about the quest for truth, the
old antagonists. After a colonial revolution
But change would not mean rejection of
tion treaty in history, calling for the elimi-
home of Kandinski and Scriabin about
the past. Like a tree growing strong
with Britain, we have cemented for all ages
nation of an entire class of U.S. and Soviet
imagination, the rich and noble culture of
through the seasons, rooted in the Earth
the ties of kinship between our nations.
the Uzbek man of letters Alisher Navoi
nuclear missiles. And just 16 days ago, we
After a terrible civil war between North
and drawing life from the Sun, so, too, posi-
saw the beginning of your withdrawal from
about beauty and heart? The great culture
and South, we healed our wounds and
tive change must be rooted in traditional
Afghanistan, which gives us hope that soon
of your diverse land speaks with a glowing
values-in the land, in culture, in family
found true unity as a nation. We fought two
the fighting may end and the healing may
passion to all humanity. Let me cite one of
and community-and it must take its life
world wars in my lifetime against Germany
begin and that that suffering country may
the most eloquent contemporary passages
from the eternal things, from the source of
and one with Japan, but now the Federal
find self-determination, unity, and peace at
Republic of Germany and Japan are two of
long last.
our closest allies and friends.
706
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1988 / May 31
May 31 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1988
Young People
know each other, there would never be an-
Some people point to the trade disputes
Thank you all very much, and da blagos-
between us as a sign of strain, but they're
lovit vas gospod'-God bless you.
Q. The question is: The universities influ-
other war. And I think that of you. I think
Mr. Logunov. Dear friends, Mr. Presi-
ence public opinion, and the student won-
that of the other students that I've ad-
the frictions of all families, and the family of
free nations is a big and vital and some-
ders how the youths have changed since
dressed in other places.
dent has kindly agreed to answer your ques-
times boisterous one. I can tell you that
tions. But since he doesn't have too much
the days when you were a student up until
And of course, I know also that you're
now?
young and, therefore, there are certain
nothing would please my heart more than
time, only 15 minutes-so, those who have
in my lifetime to see American and Soviet
The President. Well, wait a minute. How
things that at times take precedence. I'll
questions, please ask them.
diplomats grappling with the problem of
you have changed since the era of my own
illustrate one myself. Twenty-five years
trade disputes between America and a
youth?
after I graduated, my alma mater brought
growing, exuberant, exporting Soviet Union
Strategic Arms Reductions
Q. How just students have changed, the
me back to the school and gave me an hon-
that had opened up to economic freedom
Q. And this is a student from the history
youth have changed. You were a student.
orary degree. And I had to tell them they
and growth. And as important as these offi-
[Laughter] At your time there were one
faculty, and he says that he's happy to wel-
compounded a sense of guilt I had nursed
cial people-to-people exchanges are, noth-
type. How they have changed?
come you on behalf of the students of the
for 25 years because I always felt the first
ing would please me more than for them to
The President. Well, I know there was a
university. And the first question is that the
degree they gave me was honorary.
become unnecessary, to see travel between
period in our country when there was a
[Laughter] You're great. Carry on.
improvement in the relations between the
East and West become so routine that uni-
very great change for the worst. When I
two countries has come about during your
versity students in the Soviet Union could
was Governor of California, I could start a
Regional Conflicts
tenure as President, and in this regard he
take a month off in the summer and, just
riot just by going to a campus. But that has
Q. Mr. President, you have just men-
would like to ask the following question. It
like students in the West do now, put packs
all changed, and I could be looking out at
tioned that you welcome the efforts-settle-
is very important to get a handle on the
on their backs and travel from country to
an American student body as well as I'm
ment of the Afghanistan question and the
country in Europe with barely a passport
question of arms control and, specifically,
looking out here and would not be able to
difference of other regional conflicts. What
check in between. Nothing would please
the limitation of strategic arms. Do you
tell the difference between you.
conflicts do you mean? Central America
me more than to see the day that a concert
think that it will be possible for you and the
I think that back in our day-I did
conflicts, South East Asian, or South Afri-
promoter in, say, England could call up a
General Secretary to get a treaty on the
happen to go to school, get my college edu-
can?
Soviet rock group, without going through
limitation of strategic arms during the time
cation in a unique time; it was the time of
The President. Well, for example, in
any government agency, and have them
that you are still President?
the Great Depression, when, in a country
South Africa, where Namibia has been
playing in Liverpool the next night. Is this
The President. Well, the arms treaty that
like our own, there was 25-percent unem-
promised its independence as a nation-an-
just a dream? Perhaps. But it is a dream
is being negotiated now is the so-called
ployment and the bottom seemed to have
other new African nation. But it is impossi-
that is our responsibility to have come true.
START treaty, and it is based on taking the
fallen out of everything. But we had-I
ble because of a civil war going on in an-
Your generation is living in one of the
intercontinental ballistic missiles and reduc-
think what maybe I should be telling you
most exciting, hopeful times in Soviet histo-
ing them by half, down to parity between
from my point here, because I graduated in
other country there, and that civil war is
ry. It is a time when the first breath of
1932, that I should tell you that when you
being fought on one side by some 30,000 to
our two countries. Now, this is a much
freedom stirs the air and the heart beats to
get to be my age, you're going to be sur-
40,000 Cuban troops who have gone from
more complicated treaty than the INF
the accelerated rhythm of hope, when the
prised how much you recall the feelings you
the Americas over there and are fighting on
treaty, the intermediate-range treaty, which
had in these days here and that how easy it
one side with one kind of authoritative gov-
accumulated spiritual energies of a long si-
we have signed and which our two govern-
is to understand the young people because
ernment. When that country was freed
lence yearn to break free. I am reminded of
ments have ratified and is now in effect. So,
of your own having been young once. You
from being a colony and given its independ-
the famous passage near the end of Gogol's
there are many things still to be settled.
know an awful lot more about being young
ence, one faction seized power and made
"Dead Souls." Comparing his nation to a
You and we have had negotiators in Geneva
than you do about being old. [Laughter]
itself the government of that nation. And
speeding troika, Gogol asks what will be its
for months working on various points of this
And I think there is a seriousness, I think
leaders of another-seeming the majority of
destination. But he writes, "There was no
treaty. Once we had hoped that maybe, like
there is a sense of responsibility that young
the people had wanted simply the people to
answer save the bell pouring forth marvel-
the INF treaty, we would have been able to
people have, and I think that there is an
have the right to choose the government
ous sound."
that they wanted, and that is the civil war
We do not know what the conclusion will
sign it here at this summit meeting. It is not
awareness on the part of most of you about
be of this journey, but we're hopeful that
completed; there are still some points that
what you want your adulthood to be and
that is going on. But what we believe is that
are being debated. We are both hopeful
what the country you live in-you want it
those foreign soldiers should get out and let
the promise of reform will be fulfilled. In
this Moscow spring, this May 1988, we may
that it can be finished before I leave office,
to be. And I have a great deal of faith. I
them settle it, let the citizens of that nation
which is in the coming January, but I assure
said the other day to 76 students-they
settle their problems.
be allowed that hope: that freedom, like the
you that if it isn't-I assure you that I will
were half American and half Russian: They
And the same is true in Nicaragua. Nica-
fresh green sapling planted over Tolstoi's
grave, will blossom forth at last in the rich
have impressed on my successor that we
had held a conference here and in Finland
ragua has been-Nicaragua made a prom-
fertile soil of your people and culture. We
must carry on until it is signed. My dream
and then in the United States, and I faced
ise. They had a dictator. There was a revo-
has always been that once we've started
them just the other day, and I had to say-I
lution, there was an organization that-and
may be allowed to hope that the marvelous
down this road, we can look forward to a
couldn't tell the difference looking at them,
was aided by others in the revolution, and
sound of a new openness will keep rising
which were which, but I said one line to
they appealed to the Organization of Amer-
through, ringing through, leading to a new
day, you can look forward to a day, when
them. I said I believe that if all the young
ican States for help in getting the dictator
world of reconciliation, friendship, and
there will be no more nuclear weapons in
people of the world today could get to
to step down and stop the killing. And he
peace.
the world at all.
709
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1988 / May 31
May 31 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1988
did. But the Organization of American
powers are. And it can have no powers
wipe out that amendment to the Constitu-
lifestyle. Maybe we should have said, no,
tion because it was an interference with the
come join us; be citizens along with the rest
States had asked, what are the goals of the
other than those listed in that document.
democratic rights of the people. The people
of us. As I say, many have; many have been
revolution? And they were given in writing,
But very carefully, at the same time, the
should be allowed to vote for who they
very successful.
and they were the goals of pluralistic socie-
people give the government the power
wanted to vote for, for as many times as
And I'm very pleased to meet with them,
ty, of the right of unions and freedom of
with regard to those things which they
they want to vote for him; and that it is
talk with them at any time and see what
speech and press and so forth and free elec-
think would be destructive to society, to the
they who are being denied a right. But you
their grievances are or what they feel they
tions-a pluralistic society. And then the
family, to the individual and so forth-in-
see, I will no longer be President then, so I
might be. And you'd be surprised: Some of
one group that was the best organized
fringements on their rights. And thus, the
can do that and talk for that.
them became very wealthy because some of
among the revolutionaries seized power,
government can enforce the laws. But that
There are a few other things I'm going to
those reservations were overlaying great
exiled many of the other leaders, and has its
has all been dictated by the people.
try to convince the people to impress upon
pools of oil, and you can get very rich
own government, which violated every one
of the promises that had been made. And
The President's Retirement Plans
our Congress, the things that should be
pumping oil. And so, I don't know what
done. I've always described it that if-in
Q. Mr. President, from history I know
their complaint might be.
here again, we want-we're trying to en-
Hollywood, when I was there, if you didn't
courage the getting back those-or making
that people who have been connected with
Q. Mr. President, I'm very much tanta-
sing or dance, you wound up as an afterdin-
great power, with big posts, say goodbye,
lized since yesterday evening by the ques-
those promises come true and letting the
ner speaker. And I didn't sing or dance.
people of that particular country decide
leave these posts with great difficulty. Since
tion, why did you receive yesterday-did
[Laughter] So, I have a hunch that I will be
your term of office is coming to an end,
you receive and when you invite yester-
their fate.
out on the speaking circuit, telling about a
what sentiments do you experience and
day-refuseniks or dissidents? And for the
Soviet MIA's in Afghanistan
few things that I didn't get done in govern-
whether you feel like, if, hypothetically, you
second part of the question is, just what are
ment, but urging the people to tell the
Q. Esteemed Mr. President, I'm very
can just stay for another term? [Laughter]
your impressions from Soviet people? And
Congress they wanted them done.
much anxious and concerned about the des-
The President. Well, I'll tell you some-
among these dissidents, you have invited a
tiny of 310 Soviet soldiers being missing in
thing. I think it was a kind of revenge
American Indians
former collaborator with a Fascist, who was
Afghanistan. Are you willing to help in their
against Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was
Q. Mr. President, I've heard that a group
a policeman serving for Fascist.
search and their return to the motherland?
elected four times-the only President.
of American Indians have come here be-
The President. Well, that's one I don't
The President. Very much so. We would
There had kind of grown a tradition in our
cause they couldn't meet you in the United
know about, or maybe the information
like nothing better than that.
country about two terms. That tradition was
States of America. If you fail to meet them
hasn't been all given out on that. But you
American Constitution
started by Washington, our first President,
here, will you be able to correct it and to
have to understand that Americans come
only because there was great talk at the
meet them back in the United States?
from every corner of the world. I received
Q. The reservation of the inalienable
formation of our country that we might
The President. I didn't know that they
a letter from a man that called something
rights of citizens guaranteed by the Consti-
become a monarchy, and we had just freed
had asked to see me. If they've come here
to my attention recently. He said, you can
tution faces certain problems; for example,
ourselves from a monarchy. So, when the
or whether to see them there-[aughter]-
go to live in France, but you cannot
the right of people to have arms, or for
second term was over, George Washington
I'd be very happy to see them.
become a Frenchman; you can go to live in
example, the problem appears, an evil ap-
stepped down and said he would do it-
Let me tell you just a little something
Germany, you cannot become a German-
pears whether spread of pornography or
stepping down-so that there would not get
about the American Indian in our land. We
or a Turk, or a Greek, or whatever. But he
narcotics is compatible with these rights.
to be the kind of idea of an inherited aris-
have provided millions of acres of land for
said anyone, from any corner of the world,
Do you believe that these problems are just
tocracy. Well, succeeding Presidents-many
what are called preservations-or reserva-
can come to live in America and become an
unavoidable problems connected with de-
of them didn't get a chance at second term;
tions, I should say. They, from the begin-
American.
mocracy, or they could be avoided?
they did one term and were gone. But that
ning, announced that they wanted to main-
You have to realize that we are a people
The President. Well, if I understand you
correctly, this is a question about the in-
tradition kind of remained. But it was just a
tain their way of life, as they had always
that are made up of every strain, national-
alienable rights of the people-does that in-
tradition. And then Roosevelt ran the four
lived there in the desert and the plains and
ity, and race of the world. And the result is
so forth. And we set up these reservations
that when people in our country think
clude the right to do criminal acts-for ex-
times-died very early in his fourth term.
ample, in the use of drugs and so forth? No.
And suddenly, in the atmosphere at that
so they could, and have a Bureau of Indian
someone is being mistreated or treated un-
time, they added an amendment to the
Affairs to help take care of them. At the
justly in another country, these are people
[Applause] No, we have a set of laws. I
think what is significant and different about
Constitution that Presidents could only
same time, we provide education for
who still feel that kinship to that country
them-schools on the reservations. And
because that is their heritage. In America,
our system is that every country has a con-
serve two terms.
When I get out of office-I can't do this
they're free also to leave the reservations
whenever you meet someone new and
stitution, and most constitutions or practi-
cally all of the constitutions in the world are
while I'm in office, because it will look as
and be American citizens among the rest of
become friends, one of the first things you
us, and many do. Some still prefer, howev-
tell each other is what your bloodline is. For
documents in which the government tells
I'm selfishly doing it for myself-when I get
out of office, I'm going to travel around,
er, that way-that early way of life. And
example, when I'm asked, I have to say
the people what the people can do. Our
what I call the mashed-potato circuit-that
we've done everything we can to meet
Irish, English, and Scotch-English and
Constitution is different, and the difference
is the afterdinner speaking and the speak-
their demands as to how they want to live.
Scotch on my mother's side, Irish on my
is in three words; it almost escapes every-
ing to luncheon groups and so forth-I'm
Maybe we made a mistake. Maybe we
father's side. But all of them have that.
one. The three words are, "We the people."
should not have humored them in that
Well, when you take on to yourself a
Our Constitution is a document in which
going to travel around and try to convince
we the people tell the government what its
the people of our country that they should
wanting to stay in that kind of primitive
wife, you do not stop loving your mother.
May 31 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1988
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1988 / May 31
So, Americans all feel a kind of a kinship to
waited for somebody to get in front and
skyscrapers after them into arrows of gold
form in Pasternak's poem "The Garden of
that country that their parents or their
drive us. [Laughter]
aimed at the arched and timeless blue." So,
Gethsemane." Listen, if you will, to Paster-
grandparents or even some great-grandpar-
we, too, have found Moscow a city of beau-
nak's account of that famous arrest:
ents came from; you don't lose that contact.
[At this point, Rector Logunov presented
ties. A city, especially, whose pinnacles and
So, what I have come and what I have
the President with a gift.]
spires reminded one at virtually every turn
"There appeared-no one knew from
brought to the General Secretary-and I
That is beautiful. Thank you very much.
of man's ancient capacity for aspiration, for
where-a crowd of slaves and a rabble
reaching out toward the light.
of knaves, with lights and swords and,
must say he has been very. cooperative
about it-I have brought lists of names that
It's a particular pleasure to be able to
leading them, Judas with a traitor's kiss
Note: The President spoke at 4:10 p.m. in
have been brought to me from people that
the Lecture Hall at Moscow State Universi-
welcome you to Spaso House-a house of
on his lips.
are relatives or friends that know that or
ty. Anatoliy Alekseyevich Logunov was
considerable beauty in its own right-the
"Peter repulsed the ruffians with his
that believe that this individual is being
rector of the university.
residence of our Ambassadors to the Soviet
sword and cut off the ear of one of
mistreated here in this country, and they
Union. During the 55 years of diplomatic
them. But he heard: 'You cannot decide
want him to be allowed to emigrate to our
relations between our two nations, Spaso
a dispute with weapons; put your sword
country. Some are separated families.
House has served as one of the principal
in its place, 0 man.'
One that I met in this, the other day, was
settings for exchanges between us-ex-
Toasts at a Dinner Hosted by the
That's the voice. "Put your sword in its
born the same time I was. He was born of
changes formal and informal alike. There
President at Spaso House in Moscow
place, O man." This is the imperative, the
Russian parents who had moved to Amer-
have been some splendid moments within
ica, oh, way back in the early 1900's, and he
May 31, 1988
these walls. Prokofiev once conducted his
command. And so, we will work together,
that we might forever keep our swords at
was born in 1911. And then sometime later,
marvelous "The Love for Three Oranges"
our sides.
the family moved back to Russia. Now he's
The President. Mr. General Secretary,
in this very room. As wartime allies, our
grown, has a son. He's an American citizen.
Mrs. Gorbachev, distinguished guests and
representatives met often under this roof.
Mr. General Secretary, ladies and gentle-
But they wanted to go back to America and
friends, it's a pleasure to host all of you
And Ambassador and Mrs. Matlock have
men, Spaso House has, as I said, seen quiet
being denied on the grounds that, well,
continued the tradition of making Spaso
times, yet the animated conversation of this
tonight and to reciprocate, in a small way,
they can go back to America, but his son
the hospitality you lavished upon us yester-
House a centerpiece of American culture, a
evening has already done much to make up
married a Russian young lady, and they
day evening. While the General Secretary
place to receive and talk with Soviet offi-
for them. And so, I would like to raise a
want to keep her from going back. Well,
and I had already held three meetings
cials and with people from all walks of life
glass to the continued interchange between
the whole family said, no, we're not going
before this one began here in Moscow, each
and from all parts of the Soviet Union. But
our two nations and, if I may, to Spaso
to leave her alone here. She's a member of
of those earlier encounters took place in the
there have also been quiet times in this
House itself, as a symbol of our relations.
the family now. Well, that kind of a case is
autumn. The days were growing short, the
house-unnaturally quiet times. Times
May this lovely home never lack for visitors
brought to me personally, so I bring it to
weather ever grayer and colder. It makes
when difficult relations between us meant
and shared meals and the sounds of spirited
the General Secretary. And as I say, I must
for a bracing, delightful change to have this
that this house, this huge, magnificent
conversation and even the peal of hearty
say, he has been most helpful and most
meeting take place at the high point of
house, stood virtually empty of visitors. I'm
laughter.
agreeable about correcting these things.
spring, a time of long, light-filled days.
told that it was even possible to hear the
Thank you, and God bless you. And to the
Now, I'm not blaming you; I'm blaming
I know that Nancy found her springtime
Moscow Metro rumbling past, ever so faint-
General Secretary, to Mrs. Gorbachev, to
bureaucracy. We have the same type of
visit to Leningrad earlier today both mag-
ly, deep in the Earth below.
the relationship that I believe must contin-
thing happen in our own country. And
nificent and moving. The play of light upon
Mr. General Secretary, we know that on
ue.
every once in a while, somebody has to get
the rivers and canals added the special
matters of great importance we will contin-
The General Secretary. Esteemed Mr.
the bureaucracy by the neck and shake it
splendor of the season to a city splendid in
ue to differ profoundly, and yet you and I
President, esteemed Mrs. Reagan, ladies
loose and say, Stop doing what you're
any season. And everywhere, Nancy has
have met four times now, more often than
and gentlemen, comrades: I thank you, Mr.
doing. And this is the type of thing and the
told me, there was a sense of history, espe-
any previous President and General Secre-
President for the words of greeting you just
names that we have brought. And it is a list
cially of Leningrad's immense courage and
tary. While our discussions have sometimes
addressed to us.
of names, all of which have been brought to
sacrifice during the Second World War,
been pointed or contentious, we possess an
Two great nations have given the two of
me personally by either relatives or close
surely one of the most stirring epics in the
enlarged understanding of each other and
us a mandate to determine what Soviet-
friends and associates. [Applause] Thank
whole human story.
of each other's country. On specific matters
American relations should be like. Since our
you very much. You're all very kind. I
Here in Moscow, I've been reminded a
of policy, we have made progress, often his-
first meeting in Geneva, relations between
thank you very much. And I hope I an-
number of times during this springtime visit
toric progress. And perhaps most important,
our two countries have overcome a long
swered the questions correctly. Nobody
of a passage in a book about your country
we have committed our nations to continu-
drawn out period of confrontation to reach
asked me what it was going to feel like to
by Laurens Van der Post. Especially struck
ing to work together, agreeing that silence
an acceptable level from which it is now
not be President anymore. I have some un-
by the city's churches, Van der Post wrote
must never again be permitted to fall be-
easier to move forward. In Reykjavik, in
derstanding, because after I'd been Gover-
that when he caught his first sight of the
tween us. We have agreed always to contin-
Washington, and during this present visit of
nor for 8 years and then stepped down, I
Moscow skyline he saw "the light of an un-
ue the interchanges between our nations
yours, our dialog has been intense. Its most
want to tell you what it's like. We'd only
usually pure evening upon it. That light was
because, I believe, we both hear the same
important result has been the now ratified
been home a few days; and someone invit-
alchemical, and it transformed Moscow into
voice, the same overwhelming imperative.
first treaty to reduce nuclear weapons. A
ed us out to dinner. Nancy and I both went
a city of gold. The tops of the spires and
What that voice says can be expressed in
search is continuing to find a solution for
out, got in the back seat of the car, and
pinnacles drawing the rigid forms of the
many ways. But I have found it in vivid
problems relating to 50-percent cuts in stra-
DOUBLE MAP SUPPLEMENT: THE ARCTIC AND ITS PEOPLES
VOL. 163, NO. 2
FEBRUARY 1983
NATIONAL
GEO
HIC
OH
MAR 24 10
PEOPLES
OF THE
ARCTIC
144
HUNTERS OF THE
LOST SPIRIT 150
ART OF THE
BERING SEA 198
PEOPLE OF
THE LONG SPRING 206
HUNGARY'S
NEW WAY 225
BEIRUT-UP FROM
THE RUBBLE 262
SEE "AUSTRALIA'S ANIMAL MYSTERIES" WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, ON PBS TV
A DIFFERENT COMMUNISM
Hungary's New Way
By JOHN J. PUTMAN
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SENIOR WRITER
Photographs by BILL WEEMS
N A SPRING DAY in Budapest,
0
stone buildings of Pest appeared so heavy it
when buds and tender leaves swell
seemed they might sink into the earth; when
on bare tree limbs and old people
the country's thousand-year past, often so
and young mothers with children
tragic, seemed to draw close, like the dark,
come again into the parks;
lowering clouds.
when the landing docks are
The year of that winter
being rigged along the Dan-
marked the 25th anniversa-
ube banks and excursion
ry of the uprising of 1956,
boats reappear; when on the
when Hungarians took to
shopping streets, as if on a
the streets to throw off an
single command, women
oppressive Communist re-
have abandoned winter's
gime and were crushed by
boots for pumps and the
Soviet tanks and troops. At
flash of ankles; when uni-
least 2,200 people-perhaps
versity students sprawl in
many more-died; 200,000
the sun around the National
fled to the West.
Museum to study and the
I had come to look into re-
first tourist buses arrive,
ports that in the years since,
great shiny ones from Aus-
Hungary had set off on a
tria; when roads are crowd-
new and distinctive socialist
ed with automobiles and the
course: that individual en-
Great Market Hall seems to
terprise was not only per-
groan under its weight of
Crown of St. Stephen, first king
mitted but encouraged; that
produce; well, on such a fine
of Hungary, symbolizes 1,000
factory managers were in-
day, you should not feel in
years of a proud but tragic history.
structed to make their own
the company of ghosts.
decisions and a profit rather
But I did, as I stood waiting for the No. 2
than follow some central plan; that members
streetcar. I was nearing the end of my travels
of farm cooperatives were assisted in grow-
in Hungary; two trips, eight weeks. I had
ing livestock and food on their farm plots for
come first in winter, when mists, rain, and
private sale; that commercial and touristic
snow shrouded the city in gray; when the old
ties to the West
(Continued on page 230)
Their moment to shine, students graduating from a secondary school in
Budapest exchange congratulations and good-byes, carrying armfuls of good
wishes from parents and friends. Ever hopeful as a people, the Hungarians-
in the most intriguing success story of central Europe-are carefully fashioning
a new style of socialism on the doorstep of the Soviet Union.
225
czechoslovakia
*COAL
Sarospatak
Tisza
WIEN
Donau
Miskolc
Kis
(Vienna)
(Danube)
Bratislava
Lillafured
Tokaj
Salgótarján
959m
3,146 ft
Neusiedler
Mts.
BUKK
See
Cserhat
Mountains
NATIONALPARK
Nyíregyház
Mosonmagyaróvár
11015
Eger
COALX
AUSTRIA
Esztengon
3,330 ft
Gyor
Vác
COAL
Sopron
1757 m
Hatvan
HORTOBAGY
Kapuvár
Györújbarát
Tata
2,484 ft
Tiszafüred.
NATIONAL PARK
Oroszlány
Tatabánya
Csomör
Debrecen
COAL
COAL
BUDAPEST
Köszeg
Raba
Mor
Vecsés
COAL
704 m
2,310 ft
BAUXITE
Albertirsa
Tisza
Szombathely
Székesfehervaks
Szolnok
BAUXITE
KISKUNSAGI
Bakony
Veszprem
Cegléd
BAUXITE
NATIONAL
AUXITE
Lajosmizse
Balatonfüred,
PARK
Hungarian
Szeghalom
Oradea
Zala
Dunaújváros
Körös
Tapolca
Siofok
Balaton
Kecskemét
ROMA
Zalaegerszeg
BAUXITE
Szárvas
Szigliget
Lake
Hung
ary
Békéscsaba)
Kiskunfélegyháza
Paks
Kiskörös
Orosháza
Nagykanizsa,
Kaposvár
Dombovár,
Sió
Szekszárd
Zákányszék.
Szeged
OIL FIELD
Nagyatad
682 m
2,238 ft
COALX
Mts.
MINE
Baja
Macos
OIL PIPELI
Duna
Mohacs
(Danibe)
CANAL
KILOMETERS
YUGOSLAVIA
0
STATUTE MIL
DRAWN BY ISKANDAR
COMPILED BY GRAHAN
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHI
PRUSSIA
0
KINGDOM
OF
RUSSIAN
PRINCIPALITIES
POLAND AND
HOLY
DUCHY
GRAND DUCHY
POLAND
OF
ROMAN-
CONFED.
WARSAW
HOLY
POLAND
HOLY
OF LITHUANIA
OF
EMPIRE
THE
ROMAN
ROMAN
AUSTRIA
RHINE
EMPIRE
KINGDOM
EMPIRE
AUSTRIA
EMPIRE OF AU
OF
KINGDOM
HUNGARY
KINGDOM
OF HUNGARY
OF HUNGARY
HUNGAR
OTTOMAN EMPIRE
OT
SERBIA
OTTOMAN
E
NORMAN
BYZANTINE
EMPIRE
PRINCIPALITIES
EMPIRE
KINGDOM
KINGDOM
KINGDOM
OF NAPLES
OF NAPLES
OF NAPLES
1100
1566
1740
1812
Kingdom of Hungary
Turkish Rule
Habsburg Rule
Napoleonic Era
Magyars, the first Hungarians,
Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I
Maria Theresa, the first female
Hungarian nationalism g
Invaded In the ninth century
defeated the Hungarlan Army at
ruler of the Habsburg dominions,
the decades before 1848,
after migrating from the Ural
Mohács in 1526, after which the
succeeded Charles III as monarch
revolution led by Lajos K
Mountain region. They were
nation was divided under Ottoman
of Hungary, ushering In 40 years of
won Independence. But T
converted to Christianity by
and Habsburg rule.
mild reform and domestic
Nicholas I of Russia helpe
Stephen I, crowned in 1001.
stability.
down the rebellion a year
226
National Geographic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different
kia
XCOAL
trospatak.
Tisza
Carpathian Mountains
Hungary
Miskolc
Kisvárda
Lillafured
Tokaj
IN THE HEART OF EUROPE, Hungary looks to
both East and West for trade and culture. As a
algótarján
959'm
3,146
Mountaing
member of the Warsaw Pact, it stands firmly in
S.
BUKK
the alliance of socialist states. Yet half of its business
NATIONAL PARK
Nyíregyháza
TOIS
COAL
is with non-Communist countries, and its people
Eger
3,330 ft
Nyírbátor
have a keen taste for Western styles of living. Perhaps
a million people of Hungarian
Hatvan
HORTOBAGY
iszafüred
NATIONAL PARK
stock live in the United States,
nör
Debrecen
more than 50,000 of whom
0
KM
400
fled Hungary following the
400
PEST
visid
1956 uprising that was crushed
ecsés
FED
DEM.
POLAND
by the Soviet Union. More
REP
REP
OF
Albertirsa
Tisza
than three million Hungarians
GERMANY
SOVIET
Szolnok
AUSTRIA
BLOC
SAGI
Cegléd
Hungarian
Great
Körös
ROMANIA
live in neighboring nations.
The Hungarian language is
HUNGAR)
NAL
Lajosmizse
Szeghalom
radically different from major
ITALY
ROMANIA
Oradea
European tongues, giving its
YUGOSLAVIA
kemét
poets a frustrating sense of
BULGARIA
Szárvas
isolation. Yet the warmth of
ALBANIA
Békéscsabar
its people is translated into
Kiskunfélegyháza
GREECE
friendship each year for a
1983
korös
growing number of visitors.
Orosháza
AREA: 93,030 sq km (35,919 sq mi). POPULATION:
10,713,000. MAJOR CITIES: Budapest (capital), 2,064,000;
Miskolc, 209,000; Debrecen, 195,000. LITERACY: 98
ákányszék
Szeged
OIL FIELD
Maros
percent. LIFE EXPECTANCY: 70 years.
MINE
GEOGRAPHY: Mostly flat plains with
OIL PIPELINE
hilly regions in the north and west.
CANAL
CLIMATE: Temperate. GOVERNMENT:
Communist state. ECONOMY:
o
KILOMETERS
50
slavia
Pharmaceuticals, transportation
STATUTE MILES
50
equipment, textiles, medical and scientific instruments,
DRAWN BY ISKANDAR BADAY
COMPILED BY GRAHAM J. TRUSCOTT
bauxite, corn, wheat, sunflower oil, sugar beets, wine.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CARTOGRAPHIC DIVISION
PRUSSIA
HOLY
DUCHY RUSSIAN
GERMANY
RUSSIAN
Areas acquired by
ROMAN
POLAND
CONFED.
OF
WARSAW
EMPIRE
EMPIRE
Hungary 1938-1941
U.S.S.R
EMPIRE
OF
THE
and lost in 1945
AUSTRIA
RHINE
GERMANY
AUSTRIA
KINGDOM
EMPIRE OF AUSTRIA
AUSTRIA
AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN,
OF HUNGARY
UNGARY
EMPIRE
HUNGARY
ITALY
ITALY
ROMANIA
ROMANIA
OTTOMAN
OTTOMAN
SERBIA
THOUSAND
BULGARIA
BULGARIA
EMPIRE
EMPIRE
ALBANIA
KINGDOM
OF NAPLES
KINGDOM
OF NAPLES
GREECE
GREECE
1812
1914
02
1939-1945
burg Rule
Napoleonic Era
World War I
World War II
Theresa, the first female
Hungarian nationalism grew in
Hungary entered World War I as
Hoping to regain lost lands, and
the Habsburg dominions,
the decades before 1848, when a
part of the expanded Dual
led Charles III as monarch
defenseless against Nazi Germany,
revolution led by Lajos Kossuth
Monarchy. After defeat in 1918
Hungary entered the war on the
jary, ushering in 40 years of
won Independence. But Tsar
Hungary lost 64 percent of its
Axis side. Soviet forces were
orm and domestic
Nicholas I of Russia helped put
population and 71 percent of its
victorious in 1945; Communist
down the rebellion a year later.
territory (next map).
control was complete by 1949.
graphic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Communism
227
Little Paris on the Danube, as it is colorfully described, Budapest has
of the Liberation Monume
all the worldly charm of other major European capitals. The hills of medieval
Germany in 1945. With al
Buda on the river's west bank, at left, are linked to the elegant boulevards
coffeehouses and concert 1
of more modern Pest on the east by eight graceful bridges. The soaring figure
the city dominates the cui
228
National Geographic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Co
ma
cribed, Budapest has
itals. The hills of medieval
of the Liberation Monument commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi
the elegant boulevards
Germany in 1945. With a fifth of Hungary's population and a host of
ridges. The soaring figure
coffeehouses and concert halls, as well as government offices and factories,
the city dominates the cultural, political, and economic life of the nation.
eographic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Communism
229
were being strengthened; that the once iron
had met earlier, elsewhere: the rabbi, port-
A bell sounded
hand of Communist authority had been
ly, in his yarmulke; the Calvinist bishop,
the great chamber
withdrawn from daily life, so that you might
tall, elegant, a gold ring flashing on his left
television and stilled
forget for days that you were east, rather
index finger; the burly boss of the coal mines
row of tables for
than west, of the iron curtain.
near Pécs, well tailored, who paused to re-
rows of seats for
When the No. 2 streetcar arrived, I
call my visit there.
second row sat Jána
hopped aboard and rode three stops to the
It was, in a way, showcase parliament: It
liament, First Section
Parliament Building, a neo-Gothic mass of
included a leading sculptor, a leading com-
Socialist Workers'
stone raised at the turn of the century, a
poser, leading personalities from a cross sec-
In 1956, amid
remnant of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
tion of interests. It had, a Western diplomat
left Budapest; he
With my credentials approved, I entered. It
told me, no power and met only a few days
Army, established
was the first session of the year, and in the
each year; but, he added, it had influence in
led Hungary since.
ornate corridors members greeted one an-
the lengthier committee hearings, where
a traitor with blood
other and chatted.
proposals designed by the Hungarian So-
Hungarians seem
Hungary is a small country, I was remind-
cialist Workers' Party could be discussed
Once while a made
ed again. Among the members were people I
and differing points of view expressed.
need to reform the
In the spotlight of a national
effort to expand foreign
trade, the Ikarus bus company,
based in Budapest, has
become one of the world's
largest bus manufacturers. A
worker in a drying chamber
(right) smooths a coach's
undercoat before final layers
of paint are applied.
Paralleling trends in other
industries, about 35 percent of
the firm's workers are women,
who hold positions from
manager to welder (left).
Stylized workers unite in
a statue outside the new
industrial town of
Dunaújváros (top left), where
modern blast furnaces
produce steel with iron ore
imported from the U.S.S.R.
Hungary relies upon the
Soviet Union for about a
third of its foreign trade,
buying mainly fuel and raw
materials in exchange for
machinery and food.
In response to the high cost
of oil and natural-gas imports,
Hungary plans to burn more
coal. At the 2,000-foot-deep
mine near the city of
Komló, miners bend to their
work (left).
230
sewhere: the rabbi, port-
A bell sounded and we took our places in
too bulky, too arcane-Mr. Kádár slipped
te; the Calvinist bishop,
the great chamber. In the center crouched
from his seat and walked alone down a corri-
d ring flashing on his left
television and still cameramen; next came a
dor. He is 70, above average height, neither
irly boss of the coal mines
row of tables for ministers; above them were
fat nor thin. One shoulder seemed slightly
lored, who paused to re-
rows of seats for parliament members. In the
hunched; he was plainly dressed, almost
second row sat János Kádár, member of par-
nondescript. There was an aura of power,
showcase parliament: It
liament, First Secretary of the Hungarian
but you might misread it; you might guess
sculptor, a leading com-
Socialist Workers' (Communist) Party.
him to be the boss of a successful agricultural
onalities from a cross sec-
In 1956, amid the uprising, Mr. Kádár
cooperative.
had, a Western diplomat
left Budapest; he returned with the Soviet
As I watched him disappear down the cor-
and met only a few days
Army, established a government, and has
ridor, two of the ghosts at my side stirred.
dded, it had influence in
led Hungary since. In 1956 many called him
They were the ghosts of two men: Mr. Kádár
mittee hearings, where
a traitor with blood on his hands; today most
had served both, watched them fail, turned
by the Hungarian So-
Hungarians seem to fear his passing.
against them. In the relationships, I knew,
arty could be discussed
Once while a minister spoke about the
lay part of the explanation for Hungary's
of view expressed.
need to reform the legal code-it had grown
present course.
(Continued on page 236)
national
gn
company,
as
rld's
urers. A
amber
ach's
1 layers
in other
percent of
women,
pm
ft).
nite in
ew
t), where
ore
S.S.R.
the
a
de,
d raw
for
igh cost
imports,
2 more
-deep
their
Rocking and rolling in a
Budapest park, some 30,000
teenagers crush toward the
stage (left) during a
performance by Locomotiv
GT, one of Hungary's most
popular state-approved
groups. Screaming and
shouting and dancing on the
grass, the concertgoers
nevertheless managed to
leave the park almost as clean
as they found it, thanks
largely to only modest
amounts of drugs and
alcohol.
Klári Katona (below)
touches a different chord in
her listeners' hearts,
singing-in.a pleasing style
halfway between new wave
and jazz-lyrics of love.
THE
233
Hurrying to get ahead in a
society where consumer goods are
plentiful but wages are low,
200,000 people a day jam into
12
Budapest from 45 suburbs.
At the height of rush hour
(right), cars built in the Soviet
Union, East Germany, Poland,
and Romania jostle for running
room with Czech streetcars and
Hungarian-made buses.
Advertisements of the country's
abundance-in contrast to some
other Eastern European
L'ÁGYMÁNYOSI
LAKOT
nations-legs of pork hang the
length of a butcher shop (below)
in the Great Market Hall of
downtown Pest. In nearby stalls,
salamis and other sausages fill the
air with fragrance, fruits are
piled high, and strings of red
paprikas, the nation's favorite
spice, loop over the counter tops.
Among the wealthiest men in
Hungary, Ernő Rubik (below
right) chats with his daughter,
Anna, as he twists his world-
famous cube. The teacher of
interior design lives modestly in a
modern Budapest house, despite
royalties from cube sales that have
made him a millionaire. More
important than the money is the
TD-46-21
idea behind the cube, he says. "It
gives you a good feeling when you
solve it."
234
(Continued from page 231)
It was a story
nose and feet set aside to make pig pudding.
then the quiet parts,
that unfolded slowly as I crisscrossed Hun-
While the work went on, Mrs. Németh
lakes where carp are
gary, looking into life today.
invited me back into the house to sample
ares of wheat and cor
the fresh pig liver, sauteed in lard, sprinkled
notable eight metric t
N A COLD, DRIZZLY DAY with fog
with paprika; fresh brown bread, home-
O
But in Hungary's qt
drifting across the road, I drove to
made wine. But there was more: "Come into
fully utilize labor, th
Gyor, a city halfway between Buda-
the kitchen, you must taste the sausage!" It
out: It held also a sm
pest and Vienna, and on into the vil-
was not yet smoked, but rich with the special
hunting preserve fre
lage of Győrújbarát. I made inquiries until
musk of freshly killed meat, pungent from
Italians and West Gei
I located the house of Károly and Piroska
garlic and half a pound of paprika.
that drew a stream of
Németh.
And then: "You can't leave yet, sit down
In the riding school'
I had come for a pig killing. In the long.
again. The fresh cutlets are almost ready!"
ly of horses and hay a
years before World War II, Hungary was a
Mrs. Németh placed on the table steaming
fireplace the coat of ar
mostly rural country, backward, poor. A pig
cutlets, pickles, more paprika, more fresh
we talked of changes
killing, with its promise of food, was a great
bread, more homemade wine. No man in all
"We used to have E
ceremony, limned by poems and folklore.
Hungary ate better that morning.
Mr. Vető said. "Minis
That mystique remains. I wanted also to
As I ate, I talked with Mr. Németh. I told
termined the number
learn why the markets of Hungary were so
him some said that the farmers in Hungary
whatever the farm sho
well stocked.
were better off than city dwellers; that there
sometimes very low
Mr. Németh greeted me with törköly, a
were millionaires in this village.
produced, the greater
brandy made from the skins of grapes after
"It is not certain that we have a lot of mon-
"Then the approad
they have been crushed to make wine. A tra-
ey," he said, "but we have plenty to eat. We
work out the annual pl
ditional drink, he said, "to give strength to
work hard, from four or five in the morning
is some review by th
pig killers. While Mrs. Németh got their
until eight in the evening; we have time only
but very rarely will
three children off to school, Mr. Németh
to sleep. But we have meat seven days."
change. And there is
said that he was a factory worker, and Mrs.
Later I was told by the farm editor of the
during the year.
Németh an accountant at the farm coopera-
local paper that about half of the pigs in
"And now it is impo
tive here. As a member, she received a fami-
Hungary-some 420,000-are raised on
profit. The profit is
ly farming plot, 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres) and
such plots. "It is good for the state. It has to
tween the state and the
2,500 kilograms (5,500 pounds) of corn a
furnish no capital, and the pork is produced
a part going to the wo
year for fodder. They also now had two
cheaply." The grandiose plans of the past,
nuses. So people use t
mother pigs and seven piglets in their back-
when livestock was to be raised exclusively
their brains."
yard. They could sell the animals to the co-
in huge factory-like buildings, had been
There was another d
operative, or privately. "We sold 19 piglets
abandoned-at least for a time.
Vető, I discovered,
in March," Mr. Németh said, "to other fam-
There had been food shortages in Hunga-
member of the party.
ilies, those who have no mother pigs. In fact,
ry in the past, when production was too
not a member. Ah, (
that's a good business."
tightly controlled, when the incentive to
why. When I was the di
They owned their house and had rented
work did not exist. Now, as one Hungarian
general manager, I di
out another that they had inherited.
told me, "People are allowed to work, to
Now that I am the gene
Friends and relatives arrived to help in
make money, and so we have food, the best
er, I think I'm too old.
the butchering. "All will get a part of the
in all the socialist world."
"When this social $
meat, all will share pork-and-cabbage soup
introduced, the point
afterward," Mrs. Németh said. We went out
O GAIN THE VIEW of a farm man-
T
point people to top poi
into the cold of the backyard. Men wrestled
ager, I went to Tata, a town nearly 60
were traditionally lea
the pig onto its side; one cut its throat. When
kilometers (35 miles) northwest of Bu-
working-class moven
the pig was dead, the men used a blowtorch
dapest. There I toured the State Farm
loyal Communists. An
to burn off the bristles, then hung it from a
of Tata, occupying land once owned by the
level of training was
butchering rack. Pails of water were set to
old and noble Eszterházy family. My host
important.
boiling, the big cutting table scrubbed.
was József Vetó, managing director, a man
"Nowadays it is mor
As the pig was butchered, parts were tak-
with a raspy voice and a countryman's way
are a good expert in yo
en into the basement for further processing.
of cocking his head as he sizes you up.
manager." Mr. Vetó, i
The bladder was cleaned, to hold "pig
We visited the noisy parts of the farm,
such good expert.
cheese," the odds and ends of butchering;
where 28,000 geese lay 900,000 eggs a year
The small city of E
the intestines cleaned to hold sausage; the
and 7,000 ducks produce 500,000 young,
Danube 40 miles upri
236
National Geographic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Ca
to make pig pudding.
then the quiet parts, the 1,000 hectares of
The river here marks the border with
went on, Mrs. Németh
lakes where carp are bred, and 1,200 hect-
Czechoslovakia. It is a place to pause, to
to the house to sample
ares of wheat and corn, the latter yielding a
seek perspective. Near here, in Roman
auteed in lard, sprinkled
notable eight metric tons per hectare.
times, the emperor-philosopher Marcus
brown bread, home-
But in Hungary's quest to earn money and
Aurelius wrote his Meditations, among
was more: "Come into
fully utilize labor, the farm had branched
them: "Time is a sort of river
and strong
taste the sausage!" It
out: It held also a small plastics factory, a
is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to
but rich with the special
hunting preserve frequented by wealthy
sight than it is swept by and another takes its
meat, pungent from
Italians and West Germans, a riding school
place, and this too will be swept away." And
and of paprika.
that drew a stream of Austrian tourists.
so the Romans were swept away.
leave yet, sit down
In the riding school's stable, smelling rich-
The Magyars arrived late in the ninth cen-
tlets are almost ready!"
ly of horses and hay and still bearing on its
tury, and here in the 11th their first Chris-
on the table steaming
fireplace the coat of arms of the Eszterházys,
tian king, St. Stephen, was crowned; here
paprika, more fresh
we talked of changes on Hungary's farms.
Mongol invaders of the 13th century failed
wine. No man in all
"We used to have a very strict system,"
to take the city's fortress; here in the 16th
that
morning.
Mr. Vető said. "Ministries in Budapest de-
century came the conquering Turks, who
with Mr. Németh. I told
termined the number of geese or ducks or
ruled much of Hungary for 150 years; and
the farmers in Hungary
whatever the farm should have, and we had
here thereafter, under the Habsburgs of
dwellers; that there
sometimes very low prices. The more we
Austria, arose the fine baroque houses, the
this
village.
produced, the greater the loss on the farm.
churches, and ecclesiastical buildings that
we have a lot of mon-
"Then the approach changed. Now we
give the town its present character.
have plenty to eat. We
work out the annual plan on the farm. There
Esztergom is called Hungary's Vatican;
or five in the morning
is some review by the higher authorities,
its great cathedral holds treasuries of gold
we have time only
but very rarely will they suggest some
chalices, embroidered vestments, the tombs
meat seven days."
change. And there is no interference at all
of the archbishops. I wondered: When the
the farm editor of the
during the year.
river of time brought Communism, what
out half of the pigs in
"And now it is important to gain
20,000-are raised on
profit. The profit is divided be-
for the state. It has to
tween the state and the farm, with-
nd the pork is produced
a part going to the workers as bo-
diose plans of the past,
nuses. So people use their minds,
to be raised exclusively
their brains."
buildings, had been
There was another change. Mr.
for
a
time.
Vető, I discovered, was not a
shortages in Hunga-
member of the party. "Nem, I'm
production was too
not a member. Ah, God knows
when the incentive to
why. When I was the deputy to the
Now, as one Hungarian
general manager, I did not join.
allowed to work, to
Now that I am the general manag-
we have food, the best
er, I think I'm too old.
"When this social system was
introduced, the point was to ap-
VIEW of a farm man-
point people to top positions who
Tata, a town nearly 60
were traditionally leaders of the
miles) northwest of Bu-
working-class movement, very
toured the State Farm
loyal Communists. And the actual
and once owned by the
level of training was not that
Tapping the talents of handicapped
workers, the Rozmaring flower
rházy family. My host
important.
cooperative outside Budapest has
haging director, a man
"Nowadays it is more important that you
pioneered a unique hiring program.
a countryman's way
are a good expert in your field, and a good
In hopes of broadening their
he sizes you up.
manager.' Mr. Vető, it was clear, was one
opportunities, it has filled its accounting
isy parts of the farm,
such good expert.
department with 50 disabled people.
ay 900,000 eggs a year
The small city of Esztergom lies on the
oduce 500,000 young,
Danube 40 miles upriver from Budapest:
ographic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Communism
237
Spicy revues at the Moulin Rouge
(opposite) and other Budapest cabarets
are tailored to please an international
audience. A plush new casino also
caters to foreign visitors, though no
Hungarians are permitted to enter.
Following 1981 economic reforms, the
city's night life has come alive with
small, independent enterprises such as
It
restaurants, bars, and taxis (left).
Recognizing the need for more specialty
businesses, the state wants to bring into
the open the vast "second economy" of
moonlighters, in which perhaps 80
percent of all workers participate.
On a street in the downtown district,
filmmaker Gyula Gazdag (below center)
directs a scene for a modern adaptation
of Balzac's "Lost Illusions." The movie
tells the story of a Hungarian journalist
in the late 1960s who loses his integrity
TK-98-01
through compromises. "Our history
bears heavily on all the films we make
here," Gazdag explains.
n.
February 1983
Hungary: A Different Communism
239
was the effect on the Catholic Church,
which had once claimed two-thirds of Hun-
gary's people as communicants?
N THE PALACE OF the cardinal pri-
I
mate, I talked with Father Pál Cséfal-
vay, director of the museum. He said
there were no statistics on church mem-
bership; answers could not be precise.
"Religious commitment is growing a bit
stronger in urban areas; materialistic trends
are stronger in the rural areas than they used
to be." Here there was an adequate number
of candidates for the seminary.
As for government policy: "The first sec-
retary, János Kádár, said he is not bothered
if someone goes to church in his free time, or
goes to see a soccer match in his free time; the
important matter is that someone should
work well after doing so."
The church runs eight secondary schools
in Hungary, six for boys, two for girls.
"They are not free, and so the parents bear
an extra burden. As for the state primary
schools, it is not forbidden to have religious
instructions if the parents so wish. The in-
struction may be in the morning before the
first class, or after the last. In some places,
very many students attend these instruc-
tions; in other places, not so many."
The priest saw a positive sign in this ar-
rangement. "It is not explicitly stated, but
there is an implication in this that makes us
feel that we are somehow urged to go on with
our religious instructions, to put a good im-
pact on the children in schools, to have them
under a good influence."
But there was a ghost in this place, the
ghost of a man who once dwelt here, József
Do-it-yourself house building is a
Cardinal Mindszenty. His bitter resistance
common pastime in Hungary, both in
suburban neighborhoods (above) and
to Communism had made him a martyr. He
in the countryside. Private construction
died in exile in Vienna in 1975.
in 1982 accounted for 60 percent of the
"For sure he had some good qualities," the
nation's new housing, including homes
priest said. "He was very strongly protecting
built by contractors and apartments
the rights of the church, but he also tried to
put up by construction cooperatives.
defend political positions that did not exist
In the village of Szigliget, family and
any longer. He did not recognize a republic;
friends of Béla Kovács (right) pass
he called himself prince primate, a title from
building blocks hand to hand. It will
the Habsburg kings; and he thought of him-
take the Kovács family more than two
self as the foremost 'baron' of the country.
years to finish the new house, which
"He expected everybody to become a mar-
will stand next to that of Béla's mother.
tyr like himself. But it was not naturally de-
sired by everyone, nor by the political
situation, nor by (Continued on page 248)
240
National Geographic, February 1983
Outperforming the rest of
the Soviet bloc, Hungary's
farms bring in bumper
crops of grain under a system
of loose controls unlike any
other in the Communist
world. Managers of the
nation's 130 state farms
follow production
guidelines, but chairmen of
the 1,360 cooperatives that
cultivate 80 percent of the
farmland are left largely on
their own to show a profit for
their members. The results
have been rewarding. While
most Eastern European
nations import foodstuffs,
Hungarian agriculture
contributes nearly a fourth
of the country's exports.
Many cooperatives have
diversified into light industry
such as plastics
manufacture or tire
retreading. Such initiative
can be important to their
profitability since, though
some cooperatives receive
technical advice and
financial aid from the state,
they must purchase their
own supplies and equipment.
242
Entrepreneurial fever grips nearly
At least 1.5 million J
everyone in the countryside after the
such private gardens o
day's work is finished at state farms
animals. On these sma
or cooperatives. In a field near
manage to raise half of
Kiskunfélegyháza a member of the Lenin
third of the beef and do
Cooperative sows corn with a
percent of the poultry,
homemade planter on the small portion
and wine grapes, and 4
set aside for his private use (above).
vegetables-in all, abo
To supplement income, a housewife
everything produced in
in Zákányszék (left) raises nutrias in her
Private plots have be
backyard to sell to furriers, and a boy
in fact, that life in som
outside Szeged (right) helps harvest
said to be the most com
beets from his family's private plot.
profitable-in the coun
National Geographic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different (
fever grips nearly
At least 1.5 million families keep
countryside after the
such private gardens or raise their own
ished at state farms
animals. On these small parcels they
In a field near
manage to raise half of all the pigs, a
a member of the Lenin
third of the beef and dairy cattle, 70
corn with a
percent of the poultry, half of the fruit
on the small portion
and wine grapes, and 40 percent of the
private use (above).
vegetables-in all, about 30 percent of
income, a housewife
everything produced in Hungary.
left) raises nutrias in her
Private plots have been so successful,
to furriers, and a boy
in fact, that life in some villages is
right) helps harvest
said to be the most comfortable-and
mily's private plot.
profitable-in the country.
graphic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Communism
245
Fit for a queen: The Diósgyőr castle
on the outskirts of Miskolc (right) was
the scene of royal hunting parties
during the 14th and 15th centuries, when
it was known as the queen's castle. It is
now used on summer evenings for open-
air concerts of classical music, jazz,
and operettas.
A commercial center since the Middle
Ages, Miskolc is the nation's second
largest city, with a population of
209,000. Expansion of its heavy industry
in recent decades has created new
urgency for additional housing. In
response the state has erected strings
of prefabricated apartment projects,
background, like those going up all
over Hungary.
To get away from it all for a while,
many apartment dwellers keep a garden
in the nearby countryside. Outside the
city of Győr in western Hungary, László
and Agnes Csontos (above) taste the
year's vintage. They also grow peaches,
apples, and enough vegetables for their
whole family on a plot with a tiny
weekend house for sleeping. "It's a good
place to relax," László says. "We come
out every day after work and on most
weekends in summer. Our granddaughter
loves to play in the garden."
246
National Geographic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different C
247
Hungary: A Different Communism
raphic, February 1983
(Continued from page 240)
the policies of
Kádár, until he slipped away to the Russian
What had he learn
the church itself. Of course, anyone who is
side. In Eastern Europe, Mr. Kádár could
is impossible to make
religious fears the withering away of Cathol-
clearly see, good intentions and popularity
against their will; an
icism, but there are many ways one can act
are not enough.
one to subject a peop
in this situation. To be very stiff, just to re-
But there was another ghost in this mat-
ments. So it is our CO
ject everything: That is not the only way."
ter, a man whose name I would hear from
tem is to be built with
And so, as the perception of János Kádár
time to time in Hungary, spoken as if a ver-
sweat, and tears; we I
has changed over the years, so, in the minds
bal charm, to ward off the return of evil: Rá-
people happy, not for
of some, has the perception of József Minds-
kosi. Mátyás Rákosi was, some remember, a
zenty, prince primate, baron, martyr.
dumpy little man with a moon face, always
BEGAN with ma
dressed in the regulation black suit and sil-_
II
so rich and peppe
HE JOURNALIST and sat in a hotel
ver tie, always accompanied by two men,
be eaten with sli
T
dining room by the Danube. Through
each with a hand in his pistol pocket.
brown toast; then
the curtains passersby outside ap-
Rákosi came to power with the Russian
the house specialty,
peared as silhouettes, spectral. "You
Army after World War II. He destroyed op-
beefsteak, smothered
could call me a survivor," he said. He had
position parties bit by bit, "like slicing sa-
onions, paprika. My
been a member of the Communist Party in
lami." Then he proceeded to oppress his
Hajdú, watched with
1956; in the midst of the uprising he found
fellow Hungarians: "If the doorbell rang af-
now and then refillir
himself in the Parliament Building, a func-
ter ten in the evening, you were terrified."
with a white wine fro
tionary of the government of Imre Nagy.
The terror, the oppression helped inspire the
Balaton region. Józs
I pressed him: Why did Nagy, a Commu-
events of 1956. Among those who served
wife, Marika, operate
nist, declare Hungary neutral and ask the
Rákosi, and who were jailed by him and in
rant Aranyhíd (Golder
United Nations to help get the Russians out?
jail tortured, was János Kádár. There were
a contract restaurant.
"He was desperate, all else had failed.' And
lessons to be drawn.
ample of the individua
who was in the streets? Who had the guns?
sat in a large book-lined office in the Par-
that is now encourag
Who led them? What did they want? Exact-
liament Building. The man opposite had
gary. I wanted to lear
ly what happened?
been an orphan, raised in institutions; once
how it worked.
"To this day, my friends and I spend
he had wanted only to read poetry. Now he
József told me that
hours digging up every little detail. Still, we
was a deputy prime minister, a member of
owned by the state c
don't understand what happened. It was so
the politburo, soon to be secretary of the cen-
south Buda, which op
quick. Perhaps if it had taken more time, we
tral committee. His graying hair was swept
taurants and coffeehou
could see what really happened. Power to-
backward, his nose prominent, his shoul-
rent out some to employ
tally collapsed. All this in just a few days!"
ders stooped as if weighted by more than a
a long time with such
He remembered the time after the revolt
single lifetime of experience.
and I had done so. The
had been suppressed. "Strange things were
"I have no personal reasons to say that
ment, and monthly pa
happening. Some came back from arrest,
what happened before 1956 could be por-
food and drink supplies
others didn't. Ministers seemed to come
trayed in clean colors," György Aczél said.
The hours are long, b
back from the earth. I didn't join the party
He had spent more than five years in prison.
ing. "Before we took O
again. I had some difficult years, employ-
His perceptions of the events that led to
offered just beer, some
ment problems."
the uprising:
Now we have a kitcher
Why didn't he rejoin the party? A silence,
"There was a group of leaders who mis-
ety, everything cooked t
then: "Some who were executed were party
used the name of the Communist Party and
the restaurant was ope
members. Perhaps that is one reason.
made several faults by misusing that name.
now it is open to midni
Among the party members executed was
There were brutal deeds attributed to these
just as long as people sta
Imre Nagy, the man he had served. Nagy
people, and I would state that the Hungar-
Now their goal was t
was a thickset man with a farmer's mus-
ian people in 1956 were disappointed not
side terrace: "If we get i
tache and a schoolmaster's pince-nez. The
because of socialism but because of these
contracts, and then we ,
ghost of Nagy was often with me, especially
brutal distortions."
After testing individu
as I walked in Budapest. He had liked to
In Mr. Aczél's view the revolt had been
taurants, the governmer
stroll the boulevards, boutonniere in place,
started by young people wishing to reform
areas, such as computer
responding to the greetings of admirers. He
the Communist Party, then was seized by
And so one fine sprin
was a kindly man, popular.
people wishing to overthrow the socialist
László Barthó, 37, wh
Another who had been in the Parliament
system. And so it was crushed. This is the
anxious expression of
Building, serving under Nagy, was János
view taught in schoolbooks.
wife and two children
248
National Geographic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Co
bed away to the Russian
What had he learned in prison? "That it
rope, Mr. Kádár could
is impossible to make a people happy if it is
In her dreams a young Gypsy, Gizella
tentions and popularity
against their will; an ideology should not be
Bogdán, travels far from her village near
one to subject a people to tests and experi-
the Yugoslav border to the world of
high fashion she finds in magazines. A
other ghost in this mat-
ments. So it is our conviction that this sys-
tough people with a footloose past,
ame I would hear from
tem is to be built without unnecessary blood,
Hungary's 320,000 Gypsies are slowly
gary, spoken as if a ver-
sweat, and tears; we have to make
being drawn into the rest of society.
ff the return of evil: Rá-
people happy, not force them."
was, some remember, a
th a moon face, always
BEGAN with marrow soup,
ation black suit and sil-
mpanied by two men,
I
so rich and peppery it had to
be eaten with slices of thick
his pistol pocket.
brown toast; then I addressed
ower with the Russian
the house specialty, Hungarian
ar П. He destroyed op-
beefsteak, smothered in tomatoes,
by bit, "like slicing sa-
onions, paprika. My host, József
ceeded to oppress his
Hajdú, watched with interest,
'If the doorbell rang af-
now and then refilling my glass
g, you were terrified.'
with a white wine from the Lake
ssion helped inspire the
Balaton region. József and his
ong those who served
wife, Marika, operate the restau-
re jailed by him and in
rant Aranyhíd (Golden Bridge) as
nos Kádár. There were
a contract restaurant. It is an ex-
ample of the individual enterprise
k-lined office in the Par-
that is now encouraged in Hun-
The man opposite had
gary. I wanted to learn a little of
ed in institutions; once
how it worked.
to read poetry. Now he
József told me that the restaurant was
abandon a certain salary for the risks of
minister, a member of
owned by the state catering company of
entrepreneurship.
be secretary of the cen-
south Buda, which operates about 160 res-
In lieu of a card he presented me with a
graying hair was swept
taurants and coffeehouses. "They decided to
freshly printed sheet of stationery. It read:
prominent, his shoul-
rent out some to employees who had worked
"DATACOM, Számítástechnika [Comput-
eighted by more than a
a long time with such companies. My wife
er Technology]." He said there were three
erience.
and I had done so. There was a down pay-
other partners in the company, that their cli-
al reasons to say that
ment, and monthly payments. We can buy
ents were state-owned enterprises, from the
re 1956 could be por-
food and drink supplies anywhere."
largest software house to small businesses.
György Aczél said.
The hours are long, but the results satisfy-
"We have about ten years' experience in the
an five years in prison.
ing. "Before we took over the restaurant, it
field, a lot of connections. Some companies
the events that led to
offered just beer, some warm sandwiches.
advertise; we have not felt the need."
Now we have a kitchen, offer a wide vari-
He cited an example: "One large-scale
ip of leaders who mis-
ety, everything cooked to order. And before,
state company got in trouble with a con-
Communist Party and
the restaurant was open only to 10 p.m.;
tract. It needed a packaged program in one
y misusing that name.
now it is open to midnight or even 4 a.m.,
month, a very short deadline. No one want-
eds attributed to these
just as long as people stay."
ed the job. They came to us."
state that the Hungar-
Now their goal was to build a large out-
While building their business, the part-
vere disappointed not
side terrace: "If we get it, we will get tourist
ners hold onto their old jobs. The company's
but because of these
contracts, and then we will succeed!"
business is handled "after work, on the
After testing individual enterprise in res-
weekends, whenever there is time. But it's
W the revolt had been
taurants, the government allowed it in other
impossible to go on like this always. One
ple wishing to reform
areas, such as computer software.
must choose.
y, then was seized by
And so one fine spring day I talked with
"It's a little bit dangerous. The future is
verthrow the socialist
László Barthó, 37, who had the slightly
hopeful. We do not know if there will be
S crushed. This is the
anxious expression of any man with a
changes, and if so, in what direction. But the
books.
wife and two children who is planning to
company is useful and good, and in it I feel
graphic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Communism
249
that I am truly responsible for what I do."
In the 1950s Hungary utilized a classic so-
cialist economic system, one patterned on
that of the Soviet Union in the 1930s and
'40s. This was successful in turning an agri-
cultural country into an industrial nation.
But by the beginning of the 1960s, results di-
minished. "We realized," one economist
said, "that if we wanted to continue the eco-
nomic development of our country, we had
to change our methods."
So in 1968 the state introduced the New
Economic Mechanism, a set of rules that to a
degree decentralized planning and control,
reinstated the profit motive, allowed the
functioning of supply and demand, and per-
mitted accumulation of individual wealth.
"I think our system is unique," the econo-
mist said. "And the reason is that our posi-
tion in the socialist bloc is unique. Almost 50
percent of our national income is based on
foreign trade. So we are obliged to have a
very elastic, very flexible system."
OOR in natural resources, save for its
P
good earth and bauxite, Hungary
must import (petroleum, natural gas,
automobiles). To pay for those im-
ports, it must export (pharmaceuticals, bus-
es, axles, salami, wheat, alumina). About
half the trade is with nonsocialist nations.
In the scramble for foreign earnings Hun-
gary vigorously seeks joint enterprises with
Western companies and searches for new
markets. The French and Italians like very
much the taste of white rabbits? Well, send
them 40 million dollars' worth a year. Send
them also doves, pigeons, goose liver.
Does the world seek new novelties? Send
it a rather curious toy, the Rubik's Cube.
Doing battle to protect a national
I caught up with Ernő Rubik at the Acad-
treasure, a helicopter sprays a vineyard
emy of Applied Arts in Buda, where he is a
of the northeast, where raisinlike aszú
professor (page 235). I had read somewhere
grapes are grown to produce a world
that he had created the cube as a tool to help
famous sweet wine. Praised by Voltaire
and cherished by Peter the Great, Tokaj
his students; I expected an old, kindly, pos-
(Tokay) wines reflect the skills of nine
sibly distracted gentleman. Instead I found
centuries of vintners.
a 38-year-old father of two, of moderate
In a dank cellar of the state winery at
height, with a finely wrought face, quick
Eger, wine master János Árvai (right)
eyes, clad in brown slacks and sweater and
draws a sample of Egri Bikavér, called
open-necked shirt. In the cabin of a jetliner,
bull's blood for its velvet color and potent
where he is often found nowadays, you
kick. Excellent wines are also made in
might mistake him for a French entrepre-
the hills above Lake Balaton.
neur, bound to or from a ski holiday.
I asked if indeed he had developed his
250
National Geographic, February 1983
Refreshing their spirits after a long day of picking hops destined for a brewery
cowering in a cellar
in Budapest, a farm couple unpack a little supper. The standard of living in
She remembers the d
rural areas has steadily improved since the end of World War II, when the
terrible fear that it w
Communists dismantled a feudal-like system of large estates. Today every village
the appearance of a
is said to have electricity, though not every farmhouse has it.
Mrs. Seifert pou
clear and clean tasti
a short woman, st
diminished. "We hav
gogues and prayerh
greatest Jewish com
rope. Perhaps 80,000
pital with 200 beds,
kindergarten, a scho
ters, and a kosher kito
older people who ca
themselves. And we ]
logical Seminary, a
such school remainin
Europe. It has 18 stu
Soviet Union, one from
from the German Den
The cost for all thes
tions from the state, in
ganizations, and the J
Mrs. Seifert led m
gogue, built in 1859
museum adjoining it,
ject a small simple clot
and the small garde
Nazi legacy, a mass
cube as a teaching aid. "Everything a teach-
meeting rooms, a library, and an audito-
think, 3,500 buried th
er does is related to the teaching process."
rium. Something about the auditorium
With that backgro
But a teacher is human like everyone else,
seemed odd. It was, the official said, previ-
peared good. The rena
and he creates for himself as well as for oth-
ously a synagogue; the new part of the build-
gan after 1956. "Then
ers. "I could say the reason I started to be ac-
ing had been built around it. All over
in our time it is not
tive in this field is simply my own character.
Hungary synagogues now serve such pur-
somebody has written
You could say it grew out of my profession. I
poses. In them, if you have an imagination,
a capital letter or with
am an architect and an interior designer."
you may hear a terrible cry.
interesting if somebod
Of his earnings (more than 30 million
In 1944 German and Hungarian Nazis
gious. What is importa
cubes have thus far been produced) he
rounded up 600,000 Jews and shipped them
the country.
would only say: "In my case, which would
to concentration camps and death. Today
"And after this bega
characterize the situation of other inventors
perhaps 20,000 Jews remain outside Buda-
By all rights, some
also, I get a certain share of the sales. Of
pest: not enough to keep the rural syna-
should not be in Hung
course, in the case of the cube, which is so
gogues alive; only enough, perhaps, to
guage is incomprehen
popular, the profit is quite large."
muster the required ten Jewish men for ser-
bors, if their history has
Yes, he has other ideas, new ones, and is
vices in a prayerhouse. So the synagogues
is their own doing. W
pursuing them. Among them a book.
were sold, for uses deemed appropriate.
from? I talked with D
The Jews of Budapest were luckier. Their
Ethnographical Institu
S
OMETIMES, in Hungary, a sense of
total destruction in the ghetto was frustrat-
Academy of Sciences. ]
tragedy sneaks up on you. I was visit-
ed. Two days before a final effort by the Na-
a large map of the Sovi
ing the bauxite mines near Tapolca
zis to eliminate them all, the Soviet Army
"Here is the place, ju
when an official led me proudly into
fought its way into the city. Mrs. Ilona Sei-
western Siberia: New
the miners' social and educational center. It
fert, secretary-general of the Central Board
east, not west, of the
was a fine new building with classrooms,
of Hungarian Jews, was then a young girl,
region was then a pin
252
National Geographic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Co
estined for a brewery
cowering in a cellar with 84 other people.
hunters and fishermen. They were a mix
of
living
in
She remembers the cellar door opening, the
of Caucasian and Mongoloid. They are now
II,
when
the
terrible fear that it was a Fascist killer, then
called the Finno-Ugric people.
Today every village
the appearance of a young Russian soldier.
"Some of those people migrated north.
Mrs. Seifert poured kosher slivovitz,
Some became the Finns, while smaller
clear and clean tasting, into glasses. She is
groups settled across the northern part of
a short woman, stout now, energy un-
what is now the Soviet Union. There, per-
diminished. "We have in Budapest 30 syna-
haps 25 ethnic groups still speak Finno-
gogues and prayerhouses; ours is now the
Ugric languages. Some live a very archaic
greatest Jewish community in middle Eu-
life. Some are hunters and fishermen and
rope. Perhaps 80,000 strong. We have a hos-
also deal in reindeer breeding. We study
pital with 200 beds, three old-age homes, a
them, to find out about our own past.
kindergarten, a school, two day-care cen-
"Between the 12th and 10th centuries B.C.
ters, and a kosher kitchen to prepare food for
a change of climate took place in western Si-
older people who cannot shop or cook for
beria. The groundwater began to rise, the
themselves. And we have the Jewish Theo-
area became a sort of marsh, and the people
logical Seminary, a century old, the only
had to move. The ancestors of the Hungar-
such school remaining in Eastern or middle
ians moved south. They abandoned their
Europe. It has 18 students; three from the
life as hunters and fishermen and became a
Soviet Union, one from Czechoslovakia, one
pastoral people, always in movement.
from the German Democratic Republic."
Gradually, over a period of 2,000 years, they
The cost for all these was met by contribu-
moved to the west, arriving here in the
tions from the state, international Jewish or-
year 896."
ganizations, and the Jewish community.
Mrs. Seifert led me into the main syna-
HAT REMAINS of the old cul-
gogue, built in 1859 in Moorish style; the
W.
ture? "Elements in our folkloric
museum adjoining it, its most eloquent ob-
music. Our skill at husbandry. And,
ject a small simple cloth, six pointed, yellow;
there are old people alive today who
and the small garden behind it, another
remember shamanism-how certain peo-
Nazi legacy, a mass grave. "There are, I
ple, when they became shamans, could cure
and an audito-
think, 3,500 buried there," she said.
illness, could locate lost or stolen goods,
the auditorium
With that background the present ap-
could find the answers to problems."
official said, previ-
peared good. The renaissance, she said, be-
And there was the language, the language
new part of the build-
gan after 1956. "Then Mr. Kádár said that
that binds Hungarians together. Only 15
around it. All over
in our time it is not interesting whether
million people in the world speak it, the
now serve such pur-
somebody has written the name of God with
nearly 11 million within Hungary, some
have an imagination,
a capital letter or with a small letter. It is not
four million outside-among them perhaps
cry.
interesting if somebody is an atheist or reli-
two million in Romania, 800,000 in Czecho-
Hungarian Nazis
gious. What is important is to build together
slovakia, 800,000 in Yugoslavia.
and shipped them
the country.
It is an irony that after World War I, when
and death. Today
"And after this began a new life.'
Hungary regained its independence for the
emain outside Buda-
By all rights, some say, the Hungarians
first time in the modern era, it lost by a treaty
the rural syna-
should not be in Hungary at all; if their lan-
71 percent of its territory, much of its popu-
hough, perhaps, to
guage is incomprehensible to their neigh-
lation. Those lost people remain in the con-
Jewish men for ser-
bors, if their history has been problematic, it
sciousness of the Hungarians. Especially
So the synagogues
is their own doing. Where had they come
those in Romania: "They are badly treated,"
appropriate.
from? I talked with Dr. Péter Veres of the
I was told more than once.
were luckier. Their
Ethnographical Institute of the Hungarian
But there were life-affirming memories I
ghetto was frustrat-
Academy of Sciences. He jabbed a finger at
would take from Hungary. I liked the street-
effort by the Na-
a large map of the Soviet Union.
cars, three little cars in tandem, bright yel-
the Soviet Army
"Here is the place, just east of the Urals, in
low, darting this way, that way, like goldfish
city. Mrs. Ilona Sei-
western Siberia: New evidence places it
in a row; the Bükk Mountains, lilliputian,
of the Central Board
east, not west, of those mountains. The
with forests, castles, pine smells, and then
as then a young girl,
region was then a pine forest, the people
you are out of them. Iliked Gypsy musicians,
raphic, February 1983
Hungary: A Different Communism
253
Millions of sun lovers
come each summer to Lake
Balaton (above) from all
over Europe to swim, sail, or
just soak up a tan by a
log-cabin-style tent (left).
The number of tourists
visiting Hungary has doubled
during the past decade to
more than ten million in
1981, 85 percent from
socialist nations such as
Czechoslovakia and East
Germany. Winter sports are
popular in the Bükk
Mountains of the northeast,
where a skiing family
(right) takes a break for a
bite of hot lunch.
February 1983
but you must be lingering over wine and with
to the Tokaj wine region in the northeast,
opposite. "I've just be
friends (and perhaps two of those friends are
where the Great Hungarian Plain meets
my daughter-180,00
falling in love; he will give her earrings, she
the Carpathian Mountains. The southern
We'll open it soon. W
will have her ears pierced). Iliked the young
slopes of these mountains have been culti-
cabbage and such,
Budapest couple's flat on Molnár Street, the
vated for the grape since medieval times.
toilets!
old-fashioned windows; the boarder who
One old cellar, 2,700 meters of labyrinth,
"Listen, I've just 1
uncorked plum brandy from his father's
held 6,000 barrels; I sampled from 14. The
yard. I have a nice hor
house in Vugoslavia; the old lady who lived
wines varied from clear, sharp new ones to
retired factory worke
alone and came each day just to sit quietly
sweet, old, brownish ones, some made with
"Here," he said, pu
and hear voices and so hold on to life.
raisinlike aszú grapes. As I sipped, very con-
homemade sausage,
Ilike Hungarian poetry, the way it evokes
tentedly, a wine company official told me
bread, and a knife. G
the mystery of the land, and the way tragedy
that about half of the vineyards were in pri-
By now I knew the
runs through it as rivers, creeks, and rivu-
vate hands, with 14,000 owners. Grapes re-
the sausage, drank the
lets of rain run through the land itself. I like
quire intensive seasonal work, he said. But
a secular sacrament,
its devil-take-the-hindmost defiance. The
the owners can call on relatives and friends
prospects.
poet Attila József shocked his university
at the harvest; they are all inspired by the
teachers in the early 1900s but later won the
profit motive to relentlessly pursue the de-
T TIMES I was o
hearts of his countrymen with this bold chal-
manding handwork.
A
country governe
lenge to life, its blows, its demands:
On the way back to Budapest I stopped at
adopting aspect
Without father without mother
another famous wine-producing center,
ism and Weste
without God or homeland either
Eger. In the little limestone valley where the
the while wrapping t.
without crib or coffin-cover
caves cluster, I chose one at random: per-
Marxist dialectic. I wo
without kisses or a lover
haps because the vintner, standing at its en-
might help clarify mat
trance, appeared rough cut, the cave simple.
I called on Dr. Eler
Even on journeys with only pleasure in
As he drew the wine, the vintner talked of
of the Center for Valu
mind, I found more ways that individual
business. "It's good. I sell to the Hilton. He
pest. He is a youngish
enterprise is harnessed in Hungary. I went
pointed out across the valley to the caves
quick in word and mo
Shoulder to shoulder и
highest ranking Soviet o
in Hungary, third from I
leading military and gou
officials salute the year's
officer corps at a Constit
Day ceremony.
Since the unsuccessful
of 1956, when Soviet tar
into Budapest, the party
controlled government h
strictly supported the So
Union in foreign policy,
as it experiments with so
reforms at home.
With four Soviet divis
stationed in their countr
Hungarians are worried
unrest in Poland may up
relations with Moscow.
A chalked heart (right
Budapest wall-still pod
the gunfire of 27 years ag
symbolizes the feeling th
matter what, life will go
256
National Geographic, February 1983
northeast,
opposite. "I've just bought a cellar there for
part in the events of 1956, and then spent a
Plain
meets
my daughter-180,000 forints [$4,800].
year in jail. There he learned, he said, "not
The
southern
We'll open it soon. We'll have food, stuffed
to be afraid. In Eastern Europe the person
been
culti-
cabbage and such, and even beautiful
who learns this has learned the most impor-
times.
toilets!
tant thing. Then one indeed is free."
of
labyrinth,
"Listen, I've just bought a fourth vine-
And today? "A kind of game is played in
from
14.
The
yard. I have a nice home, a bicycle. I'm 61, a
this country. Everybody knows the rules,
new
ones
to
retired factory worker, but I have a life!
what he can do, what he can accept for
made with
"Here," he said, pulling from a paper bag
what. And this is more or less working. It
very
con-
homemade sausage, a slab of fat bacon,
has been working for the past 20 years."
told
me
bread, and a knife. Glasses were refilled.
There were at least two results. One
were in pri-
By now I knew the ritual: As we cut into
edged on politics.
Grapes
re-
the sausage, drank the local wine, it seemed
"We have a kind of slowly developing plu-
he
said.
But
a secular sacrament, commemorating life,
ralism. There are special-interest groups,
and friends
prospects.
agrarian and industrial lobbies, the cooper-
by the
ative farms and those in the second or pri-
the
de-
TIMES I was confused: Here was a
vate economy, and so on. And they have a
A
country governed by Communists,
number of ways of protecting their interests.
I stopped at
adopting aspects of Western capital-
All behind the scenes."
center,
ism and Western socialism, and all
And there was an important sociological
where the
the while wrapping the reforms in veils of
result, a sort of healing. "Before World War
andom: per-
Marxist dialectic. I wondered if a sociologist
II we had very strong class identities. After
at
its
en-
might help clarify matters.
that war these identities were destroyed,
cave simple.
I called on Dr. Elemér Hankiss, director
consciously and surgically, by the Commu-
talked of
of the Center for Value Sociology in Buda-
nist Party at that time. Everybody was mor-
Hilton.
He
pest. He is a youngish man, spare in body,
tified and humiliated. If you were a small
to
the
caves
quick in word and movement. He had taken
landholder, you were called an oscillating
Shoulder to shoulder with the
highest ranking Soviet officer
in Hungary, third from left,
leading military and government
officials salute the year's new
officer corps at a Constitution
Day ceremony.
Since the unsuccessful revolt
of 1956, when Soviet tanks rolled
into Budapest, the party-
controlled government has
strictly supported the Soviet
Union in foreign policy, even
as it experiments with social
reforms at home.
With four Soviet divisions
stationed in their country, many
Hungarians are worried that
unrest in Poland may upset their
relations with Moscow.
A chalked heart (right) on a
Budapest wall-still pocked by
the gunfire of 27 years ago-
symbolizes the feeling that, no
matter what, life will go on.
february
1983
Pride and joy in their eyes,
József and Katalin Nagy
(right) emerge from a
Reformed Church in Debrecen
after the baptism of their son,
Lőrinc. Dubbed the Calvinist
Rome, Debrecen is the
spiritual center of Hungarian
Protestantism and the home
of a 450-year-old seminary.
Dr. Tivadar Rózsay (below
right) emphasizes a point in
ZL-20-11
the religion class he teaches.
On a carpet of flowers that winds
all through the village of Csömör, a
priest blesses the congregation
(right) during the Day of the Lord
procession-Urnapi körmenet. Each
family decorates a section of the carpet
with a variety of bright patterns,
combining their artistic talents and
Roman Catholic heritage.
Traditional in their clothes as well
as their customs, the women of the
village (left) return home after Mass.
Of the nation's estimated nine million
church members-only a portion of
them active-six million are Roman
Catholics, two million belong to the
Reformed Church, and 500,000 are
Lutherans. Hungarian Jews-
600,000 of whom were shipped to Nazi
concentration camps-now number
only 100,000.
258
National Geographic, February 1983
"Wi
my of t
ing of 8
identit
can ac
have b
three o
O
Si
I
I
S
comple
me at I
long th
-
80, the
conclud circums revolut house Budap He Mr. Cake the
writer,
and sor
in 1
has be
s)
long ag
geous p
But for
Hungar
work, if
they cai
As fo
feature
Hungar
country
very mu
ficial pa
od, and
any feel
perhaps
this mea
Laid-ba
horses m
peasant; if you were an intellectual, you
"And I could be on a train and have a con-
were called a servant of fascism. And so in-
versation. The other passenger may dis-
stead of these old identities, a kind of feeling
agree, and may say so, but it is inconceivable
of guilt was substituted. A skillful strategy.
that he would leave the train at the next stop
"With the prosperity, the growing econo-
and request the police to come. It is just im-
my of the past 20 years, there is a slow grow-
possible to imagine that. So there is a feeling
ing of good feeling about ourselves, a sort of
of freedom.
identity. We have begun to feel maybe we
"And, in relation to this, the leading strata
can achieve something, and these feelings
of the society somehow have adjusted to the
have been growing very quickly in the past
taste of the inhabitants of this country. They
three or four years."
have a rather modest attitude and a modest
way of life. For instance, János Kádár lives
OCIOLOGISTS WORK from data;
in a house nearby. The garden does not be-
S
poets and writers from intuition,
long to him, and the house itself has three
memories, perceptions, as if trying to
rooms only."
seize reality from some ether. They
The future? "The small people always de-
complement one another. The taxi dropped
pend on the big powers."
me at No. 9 Józsefhegyi Street on Rose Hill,
long the most fashionable neighborhood in
T WAS a bright, sunny day. The noises of
Budapest. An older woman let me into a
house crammed with books. Gyula Illyés,
I
the traffic in the city below arrived on
Rose Hill only as a murmur: You could
80, the most distinguished living Hungarian
hear the songs of birds, the voices of an
writer, appeared, a man with a kindly face
old man and his grandson carried by the
and some signs of recent illness.
breeze. I decided to walk down to the city.
Cakes were brought, wine opened.
What do the Hungarians think in their
Mr. Illyés began publishing his poems
heart of hearts? Would they prefer, as one
in the 1920s. He is not a Communist, never
Western diplomat suggested, to be like Aus-
has been; he calls himself a leftist, a
tria, neutral, free of bonds to East or West? I
revolutionary.
don't know. Perhaps in a small country in
He spoke of how the Magyars had come
the middle of Europe with powerful neigh-
long ago on horseback and under romantic
bors, one deals with realities, while wishes
circumstances, and how Hungarians have
atrophy. I do know that most Hungarians
concluded from this that they are a coura-
believe their life to be "not bad"; much better
geous people, very brave, with hot tempers.
than before, better than that of their socialist
But for him, "the genuine quality of the
neighbors. But I know also that two ques-
Hungarian people is that they are able to
tions hang like specters over those with
work, if they have a chance to do that, and if
memories: "Will there be war? What will
they can work freely."
happen after Kádár?"
As for today: "The most characteristic
The first question is universal, the second
feature of the situation nowadays is that
Hungarian. While Communism wears a
Hungarian citizens can legally leave the
humanistic face in Hungary today, the clas-
country. Not immediately, but if one would
sic party apparatus of control remains in
very much like to leave, one could get an of-
place, to be taken in hand and wielded by
ficial passport within a relatively short peri-
another Rákosi, should one arise. And, as
od, and one can come back. So there is not
one former Communist told me, "the next
any feeling that we are closed in. For you
chapter will be written in Moscow." We
perhaps it is not so easy to understand what
quickened our steps, the ghosts and I, down
this means here in central Europe.
Rose Hill.
Laid-back cowboy of Hungarian legend, today's csikós displays his mastery of
horses-mainly at tourist shows like this one-though it's not clear in this case
whether he's resting or being rested on. Their history. has helped make
Hungarians a pragmatic people who make the best of what life gives them.
Hungary: A Different Communism
261
Davis
PRESIDENT'S DEPARTURE REMARKS AT BUDAPEST AIRPORT
July 13, 1989
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
I WOULD LIKE FIRST TO THANK THE PEOPLE OF HUNGARY FOR THE
WARMTH OF THEIR HOSPITALITY TO BARBARA AND ME. THIS HAS BEEN A
VERY ENJOYABLE VISIT FOR BOTH OF US.
DURING THE PAST TWO DAYS, WE HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH
HUNGARIANS OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE POLITICAL LEADERS OF THE
PRESENT AND, PERHAPS, THE FUTURE; STUDENTS; WORKING PEOPLE.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AS WELL AS
TALKING; LISTENING TO PEOPLE EXPRESS THEIR HOPES AND THEIR
CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY. WE AMERICANS SHARE
THOSE HOPES AND THOSE CONCERNS.
THERE IS A CHINESE SAYING: "MAY YOU LIVE IN INTERESTING
TIMES." AS WE HAVE so SADLY SEEN RECENTLY IN CHINA, THERE IS A
LOT OF TRUTH IN THAT SAYING. CHANGE CAN BRING INSTABILITY AND
INSTABILITY CAN BRING DANGER. BUT WITHOUT CHANGE, NOTHING
IMPROVES, AND THIS ITSELF WILL LEAD TO CERTAIN DISASTER.
HUNGARY IS ON THE RIGHT ROAD, THE ROAD OF PEACEFUL REFORM IN
BOTH THE ECONOMIC AND THE POLITICAL SPHERES. IT IS THE WAY OUT
OF THE STAGNATION OF THE PAST, OF THE SUPPRESSION OF THE
ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE FOR A BETTER LIFE. YOU HAVE NO REAL
CHOICE BUT TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE JOIN ME IN WISHING YOU GOOD LUCK IN
THIS ENDEAVOR AND IN TELLING YOU THAT WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD
BLESS YOU.
MarkD
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: KARL MARX UNIVERSITY
JULY 12, 1:15 P.M.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DR. CSAKI (CHAH-KEE). IT'S
A PLEASURE TO BE BACK IN BUDAPEST, AND I AM PROUD TO BE
THE FIRST AMERICAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT HUNGARY.
SOME MIGHT FIND IT IRONIC THAT I AM SPEAKING AT A
UNIVERSITY NAMED AFTER KARL MARX. BUT THE FACT THAT I
AM HERE TODAY IS LESS A CAUSE FOR SURPRISE THAN PROOF
THAT AMERICA WELCOMES THE UNFETTERED COMPETITION OF
IDEAS.
THE UNIVERSITY'S PRINCIPAL TASK IS TO PROMOTE THIS
COMPETITION. THAT IS THE SPIRIT THAT BRINGS US
TOGETHER -- - A SPIRIT THAT GUIDED A GREAT TEACHER AT
KARL MARX UNIVERSITY, WHOSE NAME WAS IMRE (EEMH-RAY)
NAGY (NUDGE). ((PAUSE))
- 2 -
AS HIS FUNERAL PROCEEDED IN HEROES' SQUARE A FEW
WEEKS AGO, THE RISING VOICE OF HUNGARY WAS HEARD
RECITING THE SZOZAT [SO-ZAT]. AND IN THIS SIMPLE,
SOMBER CEREMONY, THE WORLD SAW SOMETHING MORE THAN A
DIGNIFIED ACT OF RECONCILIATION. WE WITNESSED AN ACT
OF TRUTH. IT IS ON THIS FOUNDATION OF TRUTH, MORE
SOLID THAN STONE, THAT HUNGARIANS HAVE BEGUN TO BUILD A
NEW FUTURE
A GENERATION WAITED TO HONOR IMRE
(EEMH-RAY) NAGY'S (NUDGE'S) COURAGE; MAY A HUNDRED
GENERATIONS REMEMBER IT.
WHILE HUNGARY REDISCOVERS ITS NATURAL ROLE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF EUROPE, THE WORLD AGAIN LOOKS TO YOU FOR
INSPIRATION. A POPULAR NON-FICTION BOOK IN MY COUNTRY
TODAY IS ENTITLED BUDAPEST 1900. DR. JOHN LUKACS
LOVINGLY DESCRIBES THE BUDAPEST OF MEMORY, WITH ITS
PROUD STOCK EXCHANGE AND GREAT OPERA; A TIME WHEN
EUROPE'S FIRST ELECTRIC SUBWAY RAN UNDERNEATH THE
HANDSOME SHOPS OF ANDRASSY AVENUE.
- 3 -
A CITY THAT RIVALED PARIS IN ITS SPLENDOR
VIENNA IN ITS MUSIC
LONDON IN ITS LITERATURE. A
CENTER OF LEARNING THAT ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD, AND GAVE
AMERICA ONE KIND OF GENIUS IN JOSEPH PULITZER, AND
ANOTHER IN BELA BARTOK. BUT FOR FOUR DECADES, THIS
GREAT CITY, THIS GREAT NATION, so CENTRAL TO THE
CONTINENT IN EVERY RESPECT, HAS BEEN SEPARATED FROM
EUROPE AND THE WEST.
TODAY HUNGARY IS OPENING AGAIN TO THE WEST --
BECOMING A BEACON OF LIGHT IN EUROPEAN CULTURE. I SEE
PEOPLE IN MOTION. I SEE COLOR, CREATIVITY,
EXPERIMENTATION. I SEE A NEW BEGINNING FOR HUNGARY
.
THE VERY ATMOSPHERE OF BUDAPEST IS ELECTRIC, ALIVE
WITH OPTIMISM.
YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR LEADERS -- GOVERNMENT AND
OPPOSITION ALIKE - ARE NOT AFRAID TO BREAK WITH THE
PAST, TO ACT IN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. AND WHAT BETTER
EXAMPLE OF THIS COULD THERE BE THAN ONE SIMPLE FACT:
KARL MARX UNIVERSITY HAS DROPPED DAS KAPITAL FROM ITS
REQUIRED READING LIST
...
- 4 -
SOME HISTORIANS ARGUE THAT MARXISM AROSE OUT OF A
HUMANE IMPULSE. BUT KARL MARX TRACED ONLY ONE THREAD
OF HUMAN EXISTENCE, AND MISSED THE REST OF THE TAPESTRY
-- THE COLORFUL AND VARIED TAPESTRY OF HUMANITY. MARX
REGARDED MAN AS HAPLESS --UNABLE TO SHAPE HIS
ENVIRONMENT OR DESTINY. BUT MAN IS NOT DRIVEN BY
IMPERSONAL ECONOMIC FORCES. HE IS NOT SIMPLY AN OBJECT
ACTED UPON BY MECHANICAL "LAWS" OF HISTORY.
RATHER, MAN IS IMAGINATIVE AND INVENTIVE. HE IS
ARTISTIC, WITH AN INNATE NEED TO CREATE AND ENJOY
BEAUTY. HE IS A LOVING MEMBER OF A FAMILY, AND A
LOYAL PATRIOT TO HIS PEOPLE. MAN IS DYNAMIC,
DETERMINED TO SHAPE HIS OWN FUTURE.
THE CREATIVE GENIUS OF THE HUNGARIAN PEOPLE, LONG
SUPPRESSED, IS AGAIN FLOURISHING IN YOUR SCHOOLS, YOUR
BUSINESSES, YOUR CHURCHES. THIS IS MORE THAN A
FLEETING SEASON OF FREEDOM. IT IS HUNGARY RETURNING TO
ITS TRADITIONAL VALUES. IT IS HUNGARY RETURNING HOME.
- 5 -
VOICES LONG STILLED ARE BEING HEARD AGAIN. AN
INDEPENDENT DAILY NEWSPAPER IS NOW SOLD ON THE STREETS.
COMMERCIAL RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS WILL BROADCAST
EVERYTHING FROM THE NEWS
...
TO THE MUSIC OF STEVIE
WONDER. AND RADIO FREE EUROPE IS OPENING ITS FIRST
EAST EUROPEAN BUREAU RIGHT HERE IN BUDAPEST.
ALONG YOUR BORDER WITH AUSTRIA, THE UGLY SYMBOL OF
EUROPE'S DIVISION AND HUNGARY'S ISOLATION IS COMING
DOWN, AS THE BARBED WIRE FENCES ARE ROLLED AND STACKED
INTO BALES. FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE IRON CURTAIN HAS
BEGUN TO PART. AND HUNGARY IS LEADING THE WAY.
THE SOVIET UNION HAS WITHDRAWN TROOPS, WHICH I
ALSO TAKE AS A STEP IN OVERCOMING EUROPE'S DIVISION.
AND AS THOSE FORCES LEAVE, LET THE SOVIET LEADERS KNOW
THEY HAVE EVERYTHING TO GAIN, AND NOTHING TO LOSE OR
FEAR, FROM PEACEFUL CHANGE. WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO
MOVE BEYOND CONTAINMENT, BEYOND THE COLD WAR.
- 6 -
ONE OF THE KEY STEPS IN MOVING BEYOND CONTAINMENT
IS EASING THE MILITARY CONFRONTATION IN EUROPE. TO
THIS END, THE NATO ALLIES JOINED, AT THE MAY SUMMIT
MEETING, IN MY PROPOSAL OF A COMPREHENSIVE CONVENTIONAL
ARMS CONTROL INITIATIVE -- AN INITIATIVE THAT WOULD CUT
THE NUMBERS OF TANKS, ARMORED TROOP CARRIERS,
ARTILLERY, COMBAT AIRCRAFT, ATTACK HELICOPTERS, AS WELL
AS U.S. AND SOVIET TROOPS STATIONED ON FOREIGN SOIL IN
EUROPE -- ALL TO LOWER, EQUAL LEVELS.
THE ISSUES MAY BE COMPLEX, BUT WE ARE WORKING, DAY
AND NIGHT, TO GET A SOLID, HISTORIC AGREEMENT TO
STRENGTHEN STABILITY IN EUROPE AND REDUCE THE RISK OF
WAR. AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO GET IT SOON.
THERE IS NO MISTAKING THE FACT THAT WE ARE ON THE
THRESHOLD OF A NEW ERA. AND THERE IS ALSO NO MISTAKING
THE FACT THAT HUNGARY IS AT THE THRESHOLD OF GREAT AND
HISTORIC CHANGE. YOU ARE WRITING A REAL CONSTITUTION -
- AND YOU ARE MOVING TOWARD DEMOCRATIC, MULTI-PARTY
ELECTIONS.
- 7 -
THIS IS PARTLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE BRAVE MEN AND
WOMEN HAVE FORMED OPPOSITION PARTIES. AND THIS IS
POSSIBLE BECAUSE HUNGARIAN LEADERS ARE GOING TO SHOW
THE ULTIMATE POLITICAL COURAGE -- THE COURAGE TO SUBMIT
TO THE CHOICE OF THE PEOPLE IN FREE ELECTIONS.
BUT TO SUCCEED IN REFORM, YOU WILL NEED PARTNERS -
- PARTNERS TO HELP PROMOTE LASTING CHANGE IN HUNGARY.
I AM HERE TO OFFER HUNGARY THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THREE VITAL SPHERES STAND OUT IN OUR PARTNERSHIP -
- ECONOMICS, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND DEMOCRATIC AND
CULTURAL EXCHANGE.
INVESTMENT IN HUNGARY
THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES IN THE ACCELERATION OF
PRODUCTIVE CHANGE, NOT IN ITS DELAY. SO THIS OUR
GUIDING PRINCIPLE -- THE UNITED STATES WILL OFFER
ASSISTANCE NOT TO PROP UP THE STATUS QUO, BUT TO PROPEL
REFORM.
- 8 -
OF COURSE, THE WEIGHT OF THE PAST STILL BURDENS
HUNGARIAN ENTERPRISE. THERE ARE REMNANTS OF THE
STALINIST ECONOMY -- HUGE, INEFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL
PLANTS; A BEWILDERING PRICE SYSTEM NO ONE UNDERSTANDS;
THE MASSIVE SUBSIDIES THAT CLOUD ECONOMIC DECISIONS --
ALL OF THIS SLOWS WHAT YOU COULD OTHERWISE ACHIEVE.
IT'S AN ECONOMIC RUBIK'S CUBE THAT DEFIES SOLUTION.
TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO A PRODUCTIVE ECONOMY
WILL TEST YOUR METTLE AS A PEOPLE. THE PRICES OF SOME
COMMODITIES MAY RISE. SOME INEFFICIENT FACTORIES WILL
CLOSE. BUT THE HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT IS INCREASINGLY
LEAVING THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING SHOPS TO SHOPKEEPERS
AND FARMS TO FARMERS. AND THE CREATIVE DRIVE OF THE
PEOPLE, ONCE UNLEASHED, WILL CREATE A MOMENTUM OF ITS
OWN. THIS WILL BRING YOU A GREATER TREASURE THAN
SIMPLY THE RICHES YOU WILL CREATE. IT WILL GIVE EACH
OF YOU CONTROL OVER YOUR DESTINY
A HUNGARIAN
DESTINY.
AND, AS I SAID, THE UNITED STATES WILL BE YOUR
PARTNER IN THIS TRANSFORMATION TO A SUCCESSFUL ECONOMY.
- 9 -
LAST THURSDAY, I INVITED AMERICAN LEADERS FROM
BUSINESS, EDUCATION, LABOR AND OTHER FIELDS -- TO COME
TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND DISCUSS THE NEW PRIVATE SECTOR
OPPORTUNITIES OPENING UP IN HUNGARY. THEIR RESPONSE
WAS ENTHUSIASTIC. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF
HUNGARIAN-AMERICANS, SO PROUD TO BE BUILDING A BRIDGE
BETWEEN THEIR NEW COUNTRY AND THEIR MOTHERLAND. AS
LONG AS OUR TWO GOVERNMENTS EASE THE WAY, THE PEOPLE OF
AMERICA AND HUNGARY CAN DO THE REST.
IT IS IN THIS SPIRIT THAT I ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING
MEASURES.
FIRST, AS I SAID IN WARSAW, I WILL PROPOSE AT THE
PARIS ECONOMIC SUMMIT CONCERTED WESTERN ACTION FOR
POLAND AND HUNGARY, TO BACK YOUR REFORMS WITH ECONOMIC
AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE SUMMIT PARTNERS. OF
COURSE, OUR EFFORTS FOR HUNGARY WILL BE TARGETED TO
YOUR NEEDS.
- 10 -
SECOND, I WILL ASK THE U.S. CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE
A $25 MILLION FUND AS A SOURCE OF NEW CAPITAL TO
INVIGORATE THE HUNGARIAN PRIVATE-SECTOR. I WILL ALSO
ENCOURAGE PARALLEL EFFORTS FROM THE OTHER NATIONS OF
THE ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
THIRD, ONCE YOUR PARLIAMENT PASSES THE NEW
EMIGRATION LEGISLATION PROPOSED BY YOUR COUNCIL OF
MINISTERS, I WILL INFORM OUR CONGRESS THAT HUNGARY IS
IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT TO
OUR 1974 TRADE LAW. NO COUNTRY HAS YET BEEN RELEASED
FROM THE RESTRICTIONS OF THIS AMENDMENT. SO I AM
PLEASED TO TELL YOU THAT HUNGARY WILL BE THE FIRST.
((PAUSE)) THIS ACTION WILL GIVE HUNGARY THE MOST
LIBERAL ACCESS TO THE AMERICAN MARKET FOR THE LONGEST
TERM POSSIBLE UNDER OUR LAWS.
FOURTH, AMERICA IS PREPARED TO PROVIDE YOUR
COUNTRY WITH ACCESS TO OUR GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF
PREFERENCES, WHICH OFFERS SELECTIVE TARIFF RELIEF.
SIMPLY PUT, THESE LAST TWO MEASURES WILL ALLOW YOU TO
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LARGEST SINGLE MARKET IN THE
WORLD.
- 11 -
FIFTH, WE HAVE CONCLUDED A DRAFT AGREEMENT TO
AUTHORIZE THE OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
TO OPERATE IN HUNGARY. ONCE OUR SENATE PASSES ENABLING
LEGISLATION, OPIC WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE INSURANCE TO
ENCOURAGE AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN PRIVATE ENTERPRISES IN
HUNGARY. THROUGH OPIC, AMERICAN BUSINESS EXECUTIVES
WILL SEE FIRSTHAND THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY OF HUNGARY.
PRIVATE INVESTMENT IS CRITICAL FOR HUNGARY. IT
MEANS JOBS, INNOVATION, PROGRESS. BUT MOST OF ALL,
PRIVATE INVESTMENT MEANS A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR YOUR
CHILDREN; A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR HUNGARY.
- 12 -
ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE
YET ECONOMIC PROGRESS CANNOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF
THE AIR WE BREATHE AND THE WATER WE DRINK. SIX WEEKS
AGO, IN MAINZ, I PROPOSED COOPERATION BETWEEN EAST AND
WEST ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THAT IS WHY I WILL ASK
THE U.S. CONGRESS TO APPROPRIATE $5 MILLION TO
ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER FOR
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, TO BE BASED IN BUDAPEST,
WHICH WILL BRING TOGETHER PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT
EXPERTS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS THE ECOLOGICAL
CRISIS. OUR SHARED HERITAGE IS THE EARTH. AND THE
FATE OF THE EARTH TRANSCENDS BORDERS; IT IS NOT JUST AN
EAST-WEST ISSUE.
HUNGARY HAS LED EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE IN
ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS OF YOUR CITIZENS FOR CLEANER
AIR AND WATER. NOW YOU CAN DO EVEN MORE, WORKING WITH
THE WEST TO BUILD A BRIDGE OF TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC
COOPERATION.
- 13 -
ALONG THESE LINES, I AM ALSO PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
THAT THE U.S. HAS PROPOSED AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN OUR TWO
COUNTRIES TO ESTABLISH SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL
COOPERATION IN THE BASIC SCIENCES, AND IN SPECIFIC
AREAS, INCLUDING THE ENVIRONMENT, MEDICINE AND NUCLEAR
SAFETY.
DEMOCRATIC AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
IT IS MY HOPE THAT THIS VISIT WILL ALSO LEAD TO A
WIDER EXCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, SO OUR
SCIENTISTS, OUR ARTISTS AND OUR ENVIRONMENTALISTS CAN
LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER
SO THAT OUR SOLDIERS AND
STATESMEN CAN DISCUSS PEACE AND OUR STUDENTS CAN
DISCUSS THE FUTURE. ((PAUSE))
- 14 -
BUT TO DISCUSS ANYTHING REQUIRES A COMMON
LANGUAGE. THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH IS ONE OF THE MOST
POPULAR AMERICAN EXPORTS. AS STUDENTS YOU KNOW THAT
ENGLISH IS THE LINGUA FRANCA OF WORLD BUSINESS, THE KEY
TO CLINCHING DEALS FROM HONG KONG TO TORONTO. SO TO
OPEN THE GLOBAL MARKET TO MORE HUNGARIANS, I AM PLEASED
TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE PEACE CORPS WILL, FOR THE FIRST
TIME, OPERATE IN A EUROPEAN COUNTRY. AND OUR PEACE
CORPS INSTRUCTORS WILL COME TO BUDAPEST AND ALL 19
COUNTIES TO TEACH ENGLISH.
- 15 -
IN SUCH EXCHANGES, WE WANT TO HELP YOU IN YOUR
QUEST FOR A NEW BEGINNING AS A DEMOCRATIC HUNGARY. SO
THE UNITED STATES IS ALSO COMMITTING MORE THAN $6
MILLION TO CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN
EASTERN EUROPE. WE WILL MAKE AVAILABLE FUNDS FOR A
SERIES OF MAJOR NEW U.S. -HUNGARIAN EXCHANGE PROGRAMS --
AMONG CONGRESSMEN AND LEGISLATIVE EXPERTS, AMONG LABOR
AND BUSINESS LEADERS, AMONG LEGAL EXPERTS, AMONG
COMMUNITY LEADERS, EDUCATORS AND YOUNG PEOPLE. WE ARE
CREATING DOZENS OF FELLOWSHIPS TO ENABLE HUNGARIANS TO
STUDY AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES. AND WE WILL FUND
ENDOWED CHAIRS IN AMERICAN STUDIES AT YOUR UNIVERSITIES
AND BOOKS -- MANY THOUSANDS OF THEM -- TO FILL
THE SHELVES OF YOUR NEW INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CENTER
AND THE LIBRARIES OF SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS
HUNGARY.
THE UNITED STATES WILL ALSO OPEN, WITHIN THE NEXT
SEVERAL YEARS, AN AMERICA HOUSE IN THE CENTER OF
BUDAPEST. TODAY, THE CELEBRATED AMERICAN ARCHITECT
ROBERT STERN IS RELEASING HIS DESIGN FOR THIS CENTER,
WHICH WILL BE AN OPEN HOUSE OF BOOKS, MAGAZINES AND
VIDEOCASSETTES -- AN OPEN HOUSE OF IDEAS.
- 16 -
CONCLUSION
IN ECONOMIC REFORM AND DEMOCRATIC CHANGE, IN
CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION, THERE ARE GREAT
OPPORTUNITIES -- AND GREAT CHALLENGES. HUNGARY HAS A
LOT OF WORK AHEAD; so DO THE UNITED STATES AND HUNGARY,
WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE -- A DYNAMIC
FUTURE.
YOUR CHALLENGE IS ENORMOUS AND HISTORIC: TO BUILD
A STRUCTURE OF POLITICAL CHANGE AND DECENTRALIZED
ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE ON THE RUINS OF A FAILED STALINIST
SYSTEM.
GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOUR CHARACTERISTIC
INITIATIVE, CREATIVITY AND RESOURCEFULNESS, I BELIEVE
THAT THE HUNGARIAN PEOPLE WILL MEET THE CHALLENGE. YOU
STAND ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW ERA OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND POLITICAL CHANGE.
- 17 -
I BELIEVE YOU ARE READY TO MEET THE FUTURE. I SEE
A COUNTRY WELL ON THE WAY. I SEE A COUNTRY RICH IN
HUMAN RESOURCES AND RICH IN THE MORAL COURAGE OF ITS
PEOPLE. I SEE A NATION TRANSCENDING ITS PAST AND
REACHING OUT TO ITS DESTINY. I CONGRATULATE YOU FOR
HAVING COME so FAR.
LET US BE EQUAL TO THE OPPORTUNITY THAT LIES
BEFORE US. LET US HAVE HISTORY WRITE OF US THAT WE
WERE THE GENERATION THAT MADE EUROPE WHOLE AND FREE.
THANK YOU.
#
#
#
WASH.POST:04-25-89
Hungary's Party Chief, Premier in Public Row
183p
By Imre Karacs
al. "Who La Telling the Truth?" asked
ring to the party's policy-making
Special to The Washington Post
a headline in today's official Buda-
body. He claimed, however, that the
pest daily, Magyar Nemzet.
prime minister had backed him. "In
BUDAPEST, April 24-A public
The rift between the two politi-
the government, Miklos Nemeth did
row between the leader of Hungary's
cians comes at a bad time for Grosz,
have such ambitions, because this is
ruling Communist Party and the
as advocates of radical reform within
why be set up his [inner] cabinet,"
country's prime minister escalated
the party are seeking to oust him and
Grosz concluded.
today as the Budapest party leader-
other party leaders they perceive as
But the broadcast offered no hint
ship called on the two men to clarify
too conservative. Grosz came in for
of what sort of emergency Grosz had
their recent statements on the need
heavy criticism at a meeting of re-
in mind and left listeners confused
to introduce a "state of emergency in
formists a week ago in the town of
about the extent of his support. Ne-
the economy."
Kecskemet, and a campaign was
meth's reaction was swift. "The
The row erupted Saturday, when
launched to convene an emergency
prime minister has authorized us to
in a casual comment to young party
party conference with the power to
declare that he never. had any such
members, party chief Karoly Grosz
oust him.
ambitions," Budapest Television's
said he had recently tried to per-
Budapest Radio today broadcast a
evening news program announced.
suade the party's governing Politbu-
recording of Grosz's Saturday re-
For good measure, Nemeth tele-
ro to declare a "state of emergency
marks, in which he said, "I see the
phoned Budapest Radio today to con-
in the economy." He claimed he had
situation ripe for the introduction of
firm his position, saying he was so
lost a vote on the matter in the 11-
a state of emergency in the econo-
opposed to Grosz's idea that he
man Politburo, but that Miklos Ne-
my" but added that this would not be
voted against him in the Politburo.
meth, the prime minister and a Po-
a "military move."
Nemeth's remarks appeared to
litburo member, had supported him.
needs to be slowed down here."
put him on a collision course with
When Nemeth heard about
"A few weeks ago, my own Polit-
Grosz, whose backing was respon-
Grosz's remark, he telephoned Hun-
buro voted against this suggestion of
sible for his rapid rise from the mid-
garian television and angrily denied
mine, so I did not submit it to the
dle ranks of the party to his present
that he ever favored Grosz's propos-
Central Committee." he said, refer-
position as government leader.
N.Y.TIMES:04-25-89
HUNGARIAN TELLS
OF DEMOCRATIC AIM
High Aide Disavows Marxism
and Cites Plans for New
Parties and Pluralism
1830
By HENRY KAMM
Special to The New York Times
BUDAPEST, April 24 - An impor-
tant Government and Communist
Party official told a group of reporters,
most of them Westerners, today that
the establishment of genuine democ-
racy was Hungary's main goal.
The official, Gyula Horn, said his
country's top priority was "to institu-
tionalize pluralism and establish a real
role for Parliament."
Mr. Horn said another goal at the top
of the leadership's agenda was to adopt
the European tradition of maximum
political freedom. He said there was no
difference between "bourgeois and so-
cialist criteria for democracy and
human rights."
Mr. Horn holds the title of State Sec-
retary in the Foreign Ministry and is a
member of the party's central commit-
tee. Diplomats consider him the right
hand of the party's General Secretary,
Karoly Grosz, in dealing with the
major Eastern and Western powers in
Hungary's efforts to gain support as it
navigates through grave economic, so-
cial and political difficulties.
Speaks at Italian Meeting
Mr. Horn spoke at a news conference
held in connection with a congress of
Italy's Radical Party. The party, which
represents anti-establishment views
similar to West Germany's Greens, is
holding its convention here in recogni-
tion of Hungary's recent progress
away from orthodox Communism.
The Hungarian official spoke with
considerable candor of the need for
change. "The end result must be of
revolutionary nature," he said. "Any
attempt at undermining reform would
be counter-revolutionary."
He said the Hungarian socialism that
is the object of the present liberaliza-
tion campaign was not Marxist. "In
fact, we discredit the ideas of Marx,"
Mr. Horn added. He listed as the three
main criteria of socialism equality of
opportunity, democracy and solidarity
among social strata and on the interna-
tional scene.
"The relationships of the ownership
of property are not an indispensable
feature of socialism," Mr. Horn said.
Mr. Horn said that in 1949, with a
pluralist structure in place, "we liqui-
dated it." He continued: "For decades,
this made impossible the enforcement
of democracy. All that we did is that we
called 'socialist democracy' that which
in a real sense was not democracy but
a party and state monopoly."
PERSPECTIVES ON EASTERN EUROPE
Reformers Are Asking: Where Do We Go From Here?
183
The latest Hungarian reform was a so-called "re-
sion with a new, ideological Iron Curtain, falling not
form workshop" that recalled the great open forums of
this time across Europe as a whole but dividing the
By Eric Bourne
Czechoslovakia's 1968 Prague Spring. They were
communist area itself. On one side are Hungary and
short-lived. These, however, are different times.
Poland (backed by the Soviet Union), on the other East
It was a communist "workshop," called by the Polit-
Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria. A
EVOLUTION is in the air in the East bloc.
R
buro's two most forward-looking and articulate mem-
conflict of words begins to flow across this new curtain
In the Soviet Union, perestroika is surely break-
bers, Rezso Nyers and Imre Pozsgay. Also attending the
as much as over the East-West divide of old.
ing revolutionary ground. Mikhail Gorbachev's
workshop were three other members and 500 lower-
People in all these nations know only too well the
policies of restructuring are undoing most of what was
ranking officials and party members, plus some promi-
system's inefficiencies. But only the Poles and the Hun-
established during the Stalinist period and much too of
nent noncommunist intellectuals.
garians have challenged it. The rest have yet to stir, and
Lenin's revolution of 1917.
It was a unique occasion. There was an electrifying
their regimes are doing everything they can, however
Poland's extraordinary accord between a communist
debate bluntly postulating a "peaceful" split in the
repressive, to ward off threats to the system.
regime and the independent trade union Solidarity is
party itself. Two-thirds of the present membership
Gorbachev certainly approved but he did not initiate
nothing short of a Polish revolution.
(780,000). it was said, should form a "reform party,
the Polish accord, nor prompt the Hungarians to go flat
Events in Hungary, however, transcend everything.
leaving the rest to preserve -- if they could - an ortho-
out for the multiparty system. In each case change was
Russians, after unprecedented elections, and Poles,
dox Communist Party to compete for power with all the
forced on local leaderships by deteriorating internal
after their agreement, seemed to take a pause to pon-
other pluralist groups.
conditions and similar forces must in time propel the
der: "And where do we go from here?" But Hungar-
reluctant ones toward change.
ians, both within the party and outside it, are in a hurry.
'W
HERE do we go from here?" Indeed
It is all part of what former French President Valéry
In the last year they have had a nonstop round of
Market economies and democracy alone
Giscard Estaing has just termed "the post-cold-war
legislative reform and won liberties more sweeping
cannot solve these East-bloc crises. Even
period" which West and East enter together with a
than envisaged by the failed revolt of 1956. Yet there is
with Western help, more hardship, not less, must be
mutual responsibility.
no slackening of demand. Most recently, the Politburo
endured by the Hungarian public before the benefits
Discerning East European reformers see it 100 as a
was cleansed of four members whose reform credentials
from reform policies begin to accrue.
situation in which the West can best help. not by talking
were either suspect or lukewarm. The nine-member
Meanwhile, with all the changes. one urgent ques-
glibly about "reversing" the Yalta agreement, but by
body is now in the hands of the "revolutionaries."
tion remains. That question - boldly acknowledged in
seeking a process of adjusting a mischievous wartime
Mr. Gorbachev, promoting democracy in the Soviet
Budapest and feared just as much in Warsaw is simply
agreement to the needs of the the contemporary world.
Union, sedulously invokes Lenin. It is doubtful, how-
whether stability and social patience can be maintained
This adjustment, they say, would encourage reform
ever, if the latter - could he offer an opinion - would
that long.
anywhere in Eastern Europe, without disturbing super-
endorse everything done in the name of perestroika.
Events meanwhile also are creating an added dimen-
power balance and trust.
TIMES 04-26-89
Goodbye 178/1830 and Ciao to Soviet Tanks in Hungary
By HENRY KAMM
50,000 of its troops from Hungary, East
So tolerant were the Soviet efficers
Special to The New York Times
Germany and Czechoslovakia. At the
that they appeared to take a bewil-
KISKUNHALAS, Hungary, April 25
same time, Mr. Gorbachev said the
dered pleasure in the unexpected pres-
Soviet Union would demobilize 500,000
ence of llona Staller, a member of the
- The Soviet Union began today to
carry out Mikhail, S. Gorbachev's
of its total armed personnel and deacti-
Italian Parliament of Hungarian birth,
premise to withdraw some of its mili-
vate 10,000 tanks.
who has become known throughout Eur
tary forces from countries of the War-
The departure today, believed to be
rope by reverting at public occasions to
the first in any of the three affected
her former professions of strip-tease
sawPact.
Thirty-one heavy tanks of the 13th
countries, was staged by the Soviet
artist and pornographic-movie actress.
Guards Armored Division were loaded
command in Hungary for maximal
Miss Staller is in Hungary for a con-
onto flatbed cars at a rail siding outside
publicity.
gress that the Italian Radical Party,
this provincial town 90 miles south of
Foreign reporters and television
which she represents, is holding in
Budapest and left in the direction of the
crews, mainly from the West, were
Budapest. Col. Boris Y. Adamenko,
Sovie Ukraine.
warmly greeted by English-speaking
deputy chief of staff of the southern
freaking at United Nations last Dec.
officers and allowed to clamber over
group of Soviet forces, raised no objec-
7, NEW Gorbachev, the Soviet leader,
the tanks and railroad cars, photo-
tion when Miss Staller, wearing a
pledged that Moscow would withdraw
graphing at will.
wreath of wilted flowers in her long
blond hair, distracted attention by pos-
ing and mugging beside him into the
cameras as he made the official an-
nouncement of the departure.
At the command of Italian photogra-
phers, Miss Staller released a white
dove of peace at the side of the train,
only to watch the frightened bird tum-
ble into the fatal treads of a moving
tank.
Only 18 soldiers accompanied the
T-64 main battle tanks, armed with 125-
millimeter cannon, to the Soviet Union.
The withdrawal of troops is to begin
next month. By some time next year,
more than 10,000 Soviet soldiers are to
have left Hungary.
Western military experts estimate
the number of Soviet troops in Hungary
at between 62,000 and 70,000. The tanks
that left today are the first of 450 to be
withdrawn from the country.
an era of our
relations with
Western Europe
is closed."
WASH.POST:05-03-89
- Interior Ministry official Andras Kovari
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Vienna
Hegyeshalom
AUSTRIA
Sopron
Koszeg
Budapest
HUNGARY
Szentgotthard
YUGOSLAVIA
0
100
MILE S
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hungariam troms roll up wire fencing that has separated them from Austria for 20 years. It replaced a mine field.
BY CLARICE BORIO-THE WASHINGTON POST
Hungary Tears 183/173 Down "Iron Curtain' With Austria
Reuter
expansionism. "From Stettin in the Baltic to Tri-
Hungarians feel much better that we no longer
este in the Adriatic," Churchill told an audience
have such an old-fashioned border with the
HEGY ESHALOM, Hungary, May 2-Hunga-
in Fulton, Mo., "an iron curtain has descended
West," he said. "It will help Hungary's interna-
ry begam a synbolic dismantling of the "Iron Cur-
across the continent."
tional relations."
tain" that hasdivided Europe for four decades as
Reformist Minister of State Imre Pozsgay said
While Hungarians have been able to travel
it started to remove a barbed-wire fence on its
in October that the fence had become outdated
abroad freely since Eastern Europe's most lib-
border with Austria today.
historically, politically and technically. Disman-
eral passport law was introduced last year, Aus-
"With the dissmantling of this barrier, an era of
tling began in the no man's land near this small
tria has mixed feelings about the dismantling of
our relations with Western Europe and partic-
town on the main road between Budapest and
the fence.
ularly Austriais closed," Interior Ministry official
Vienna and at three other points: Koszeg, So-
In Vienna, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wal-
Andras Kovai told a news conference.
pron and Szentgotthard.
ter Greinert said Austria regarded the move as a
The 20-year-old barbed-wire barrier replaced
Journalists watched as soldiers with sledge-
"very positive sign." But Austrian government
a mine field hid after the Communist takeover of
hammers disconnected the alarm system. lifted
sources fear that other East Europeans, espe-
Hungary in the late 1940s.
six-foot posts and rolled up wire.
cially Romanians now flooding into Hungary. be-
The phrase "Iron Curtain" was coined by for-
The head of the border guards. Col. Balazs
cause of ethnic strife, could use Hungary as an
mer Britishgrime minister Winston Churchill in
Novaky, said he hoped the entire 150-mile fence
easy transit route to the West by simply walking
a 1946 spech discussing the dangers of Soviet
would be removed by the end of 1990. "It makes
into Austria.
TIMES 05-04-89
ESSAY
I
William Safire
Salami Tactics
BUDAPEST
"Political change without basic
W
hat a weird May Day: First,
economic change," says Miklos Vaso-
hardly anybody came to the
rhely, last surviving leader of the
Communist Party parade.
1956 freedom fighter revolt still resi-
Then the party leader, at an open
dent in Hungary, "merely gives us
town meeting, was asked what hap-
the freedom to complain about what
pened to the borrowed $18 billion that
we cannot do anything about."
has become an intolerable debt bur-
That old hero understands what the
den. Finally, the state television gave
newest class of power jockeys cannot
equal time to panels run by the nas-
grasp: For a nation to prosper,
cent opposition parties.
proprietorship must be personal. This
Is this the wave of the future? I came
can range from farmers owning their
to Hungary because it is advertised as
own cooperatives to entrepreneurs
"the hole in the Iron Curtain," the na-
owning their companies.
tion in Eastern Europe supposedly
What Hungary shows is great ac-
slipping out of the Soviet orbit.
tivity without underlying action.
To project this image, Hungarian
'A new stock market opens without
border guards this week ostenta-
tiously chopped down barriers along
the Austrian border, handing out
snippets of barbed wire as souvenirs.
This was an example of baloney tac-
Hungary
tics, an updating of the salami tactics
by which the Communist regime
WOOS the
sliced away its coalition partners at
the start of the cold war. Although
West.
Hungarians are free to travel, no
Soviet dissident can slip into Hungary
and then across to the West without
papers issued in Moscow.
a base of money convertible across
Other changes, though surface-
borders; a handful of sentimental
deep, are real. Communists are
joint ventures offers only the illusion
preparing to share power in a coali-
of serious business. The nation that
tion government after free elections,
lost seven out of its last seven wars is
and insist they are even willing to risk
cunning enough to survive, but has
ouster. In the past year, Hungary has
produced no recent figure capable of
embraced South Korea, which needs
leading it out of loserhood.
ties to Communist nations as much as
The current leadership is eager to
Budapest needs capitalist invest-
play host to George Bush, who visited
ment; next month Hungary will nor-
this country as Vice President in 1983.
malize relations with Israel.
Our activist Ambassador here, Mark
And the evils of the repressive past
Palmer, is a young pro clued in to the
are being exhumed. The bones of Imre
new-breeze Eastern Europe strategy
Nagy, the patriot who was executed
laid out, like Poe's purloined letter, in
three decades ago and dumped in a
Mr. Bush's speech in Hamtramck,
mass grave, will be reburied in honor
Mich. My guess is that the President
on June 16, the anniversary of his ex-
will expound his doctrine in Poland
ecution. Some officials worry that this
and Hungary in mid-July, just after
may trigger a new uprising.
the Paris economic summit meeting.
Nobody can measure the depth of
I hope he delays his decision until
latent violence because of the huge
June 16; let's see how this regime, so
gap between the political wrangling
fearful of what it calls the aftermath
at the top and the real misery at the
of anarchy, reacts to the big Nagy
bottom. Inflation is betraying aged
demonstration. Having made the
pensioners; newly marrieds have no
wrong decision on wheat subsidies to
place to live; poverty afflicts one per-
the Soviet Union, Mr. Bush may take
son in five, and many workers drag
the right road on aid to Hungary: In-
themselves to two jobs to survive.
stead of lavishing Government loans
To avert revolution, Communist
on the central bank to prop up sys-
leaders explain that gradual, peace-
temic failure, as the Japanese and
ful change was blessed by Mr. Gorba-
Germans have done, we should let U.S.
chev; they tell me he assured them
business take its risk and wish it well.
only last week that the Brezhnev doc-
If and when the U.S. President gets
trine was dead, that Hungary can find
here, he should ask: Why does Hun-
its own middle way provided it does
gary spend 4.5 percent of its G.N.P. on
not make an embarrassing fuss.
its army, compared with Western Eu-
But such assurances are ripples on
rope's 3 percent? He may find the Hun-
the deep current of events. A system
garians willing to cut back from
based on state ownership and central
120,000 to 70,000 troops in a hurry. Hun-
control is bound to fail, and cannot be
gary offers a parallel in the change we
patched or "restructured"; it cries
see in the Soviet Union: ferment with-
out for replacement.
out focus, old wine in new bottles.
:05-08-89
Hungary Tears Down a Fence
H
UNGARY's dismantling of
bors. Hungary's relations with Ro-
nist Party and Solidarity could be
a barbed-wire fence sepa-
mania are particularly tense. Ro-
transformed, he says.
rating it from Austria
manian refugees flow its way.
The Soviet Union, for now, ap-
takes a little more iron out of a cor-
In July, George Bush will recog-
pears willing to let things proceed.
roding "Iron Curtain." It's a sym-
nize the new openness in the East,
The Poles may be encouraged that
bolic act, but the symbolism is
with stops in Hungary and Poland
perestroika has now embraced a lim-
poignant.
as part of his first European tour as
ited right to strike for Soviet union-
Budapest is lurching toward po-
President. Leaders in both coun-
ists. Not long ago, that would have
litical change. Its once-monolithic
tries will doubtless use the occasion
been considered an ideological ab-
Communist Party shows signs of
to ask for greater US help with
surdity in the "workers' state." But
splitting into factions (long a Marx-
their economic reforms.
wildcat strikes have been occurring
ist-Leninist no-no), with the most
Poland is almost as gung-ho for
anyway under Mikhail Gorbachev:
liberal reformers wielding the bulk
change as Hungary is. Party leader
the shift favors reality over ideol-
of power. A new constitution is on
Wojciech Jaruzelski admits that as-
ogy.
the horizon. incorporating checks
pects of socialism haven't worked in
Hungarians busily redefining
and balances and doing away with
Poland. Arm in arm with Lech
their politics retain memories of
the Communists' "leading role."
Walesa, head of the Solidarity trade
1956 and the Soviet invasion -
Free elections are promised for
union he once banned. General
triggered. they recall. by talk of
next year.
Jaruzelski is striding into a new era
leaving the Warsaw Pact. Still. Mr.
Hungarians look West for their
of elections and multipolar politics.
Gorbachev has given his blessing to
role models these days. The social
The country's redesigned parlia-
reform in Hungary and Poland. But
democracy of Sweden. Finland. and
ment - with all seats in the new
even he could be shocked by what
Austria - not Soviet-style social-
upper house and a third of those in
the future holds.
ism - is the object of emulation. It
the lower chamber freely elected -
Just as important as the Soviet
was only logical that the fence come
will have a decisive say in crucial
response is the response of average
down.
economic reforms.
Hungarians and Poles. Can a some-
Ironically, the highest partitions
Jacek Kuron, a Polish activist
what cynical. economically
in Eastern Europe now are those
and political theorist. has said the
strapped populace be rallied behind
between the reformist socialist
goal is "an entirely new political ge-
reform? The coming election cam-
states. Hungary and Poland. and
ography," with new alignments and
paigns will provide at least a partial
their hard-line communist neigh-
new antagonists. Both the Commu-
answer to that important question.
Hungary and Refugees: a Historic Reversal
1831
ernments could do 110 more than
arrangements prevail today in han-
Since World War II. Hungary has
the largest mumber of those arriving
agree to resettle those Hungarians
dling movements of people out of
been considered In the West a
are ethnic Hungarians, the welcome
By Dennis Gallagher
who Ded.
the USSR and Eastern Europe.
refugee-producing country. With
has extended to ethnic Romanians
Besides the obvious political im-
As with the Hungarian uprising
the trend toward liberalization,
as well
plications this event had for "East-
in 1956, Hongary's signing of the
Westein governments are reassess
These cuttent developments in
HIRTY-THREE years ago,
West" relations, the massive exodus
refuger convention has important
ing the situation. Austria. for C.X-
Hungary, like those in 1956. are 1110
T
an abortive effort by Hun-
of Hungarians into neighboring
political implications for relations
ample, only approves I percent of
inentous. They signal that:
garians to loosen their ties
countries had an enormous impact
within the East bloc as well as be-
Hungarian applications for asylom.
Within the context of glassmost
to the Soviet Union led to the flight
on the international refuger sys-
tween the East and West. The
Foreign navel for Hungatians is
and perestroika, East-bloc countries
of more than 200,000 refugees to
tem. The UN High Commissioner
now relatively casy. Early last year,
can chart varied courses and ach
the West. On March 14, 1989, the
for Refugees, created in 1951, was
exit visa requirements write abol-
challenge each other in internet
Hungarian government became the
floundering with almost no re-
Even more dramatic
ished and new passports, valid lot
tional forums.
first Warsaw Pact country to accede
sources and a mandate that was
five years, were issued. On Nov. 7.
East bloc governments can
than its more open
to the United Nations Convention
about to expire. UNHCR was re.
1988, the anniversary of the revolu-
adopt policies that afford new her.
and Protocol Relating to the Status
suscitated when, over the opposition
attitude toward travel is
tion of 1917. some 100,000 Hungar-
dom. for people to exit their comp.
of Refugees. This event - largely
of the USSR, a General Assembly
Hungary's receiving of
ians exercised their freedom In trav-
tries.
unreported - is historic.
resolution was passed on Nov. 9.
el abroad and went to Vienna,
Socialist countries perhaps
When the 1956 Hungarian upris-
1956, authorizing UNHCR to co-
refugees from Romania.
primarily to shop.
the USSR itself may join the in-
ing was put down by Warsaw Pact
ordinate international assistance to
Even more dramatic than this
ternational refugee system.
forces, the message was crystal clear
Hungarians.
more open attitude toward travel is
Without doubt these develop-
that the USSR would not tolerate
New diplomatic and organiza-
events also signal an important
Hungary's receiving of refugees
ments present significant chal-
independent political developments
tional arrangements were formed to
change in the evolution of the in-
in particular, refugees from a neigh-
lenges to Western and Eastern gov-
in Eastern Europe. Underestimat-
handle the Hungarian exodus. Aus-
ternational reluger system.
boring socialist country, Romania.
ernments, as well as too the
ing the Soviet intent, Washington
tria, Italy, and Yugoslavia, countries
No country in Eastern Europe
Further, Hungary has formally ex-
international refugee regime. Un-
had encouraged dissent within Hun-
on the periphery of the East bloc,
has adopted glasnost with more for-
pressed its concerns about human
like the developments in 1956, how.
gary, repeatedly broadcasting on
became countries of first asylum
vor than Hungary. Karoly Grosz Mr-
rights abuses in Romania by calling
ever, they are to be celebrated
Radio Free Europe to the "libera-
from which arrangements were
placed longtime leader Janos Kadar
on the UN's Center for Human
rather than condemned.
tionists" that "America will not fail
made by governmental and non-
in mid-1988 and announced sweep-
Rights to investigate them.
you." But when actually confronted
governmental organizations to re-
ing economic and political reforms
To date. more than 80,000 Ro-
Dennis Gallagher is executire director
with Soviet military resolve to re-
settle refugees to other Western En-
soon thereafter. In Hungary, the
manian citizens have been given
of the Refugee Policy Group. a nonpofit
tain control over Hungary, the Unit-
ropean countries, as well as to the
word "liberalization" is now on ('V-
refuge in Hungary. There is every
policy research institute based in Wash.
ed States - and other Western gov-
US, Canada, and Australia. These
erybody's lips.
prospect that more will come. While
ington.
05-09-89
Hungary's Janos Kadar
Retired From Party Posts
Kadar Loses Titles as Health Deteriorates
Mihaly Jasso, head of the Buda-
By Imre Karacs
Special to The Washington Post
pest party committee, reported
over the weekend that doctors
BUDAPEST, May 8-Janos
were trying to send Kadar for a
Kadar, the grand old man of Hun-
rest-to the Crimea in the Soviet
garian politics who once was hailed
Union-but said Kadar did not want
as the most liberal Communist lead-
to go. Kadar is believed to be afraid
er in Eastern Europe, lost all of his
of dying in Soviet exile, as his no-
official titles tonight when he was
torious predecessor Matyas Rakosi
retired from the Central Committee
did in 1971.
and relieved of his post as Commu-
Kadar, in the twilight of his life,
nist Party chairman for health rea-
appears haunted by other ghosts
sons.
from the past. His role in the exe-
JANOS KADAR
The decision by the Central Com-
cution of several of his colleagues in
health reportedly failing
mittee ended weeks of speculation
the 1950s has become clear as of-
about Kadar's fate.
ficial veils on contemporary history
truly committed to reforms"
Since his dismissal nearly a year
are being pulled back.
emerged.
ago at a special party conference,
On Saturday, the government
Today, despite resistance from
Kadar, who will be 77 later this
daily Magyar Hirlap published a
Grosz, Central Committee mem-
month, has suffered a severe dete-
document implicating Kadar in the
bers agreed to convene an extraor-
rioration in his health.
execution in 1949 of the communist
dinary conference on new party
Until recently, party leaders had
politician Laszlo Rajk, the most fa-
statutes, election strategy and per-
sonnel issues.
seemed prepared to wait for their
mous victim of the Stalinist show
The date of the conference-on-
chairman to die in office. But they
trials in Hungary.
ly the second of its kind since
appeared to grow more alarmed at
Meantime, Grosz himself ap-
1957-is to be fixed later this
the worsening state of Kadar's
peared to be coming under pressure
month. The conference is expected
mental condition.
from reformists to step down. Re-
to provide the venue for a clash be-
The position of party chairman,
cent remarks by the general sec-
tween Grosz and reformists led in
essentially powerless, had been cre-
retary about the need for a "state of
the Politburo by Imre Pozsgay.
ated for Kadar when he was re-
emergency in the economy" have
This group argues that Grosz is
placed as general secretary by
proved to be the last straw for
a liability in the multiparty elec-
Karoly Grosz.
many party members.
tions that are to be held next year
The post had entitled the former
At the weekend, dissatisfaction
for the first time in over 40 years.
leader at least to attend Central
with his performance burst into the
The latest opinion polls appear to
Committee meetings and deliver
open as delegates to two regional
support that view.
speeches.
party conferences called for his dis-
Even with opposition parties in
The elderly leader's often ram-
missal. A party cell in the city of
complete disarray, the polls show
bling, incoherent remarks, howev-
Gyor, in west Hungary, took the
that the Communists would win
er, were becoming an embarrass-
unprecedented step of withholding
only 36 percent of the vote if the
ment to other party members.
members' dues until a "leadership
elections took place tomorrow.
WASH. TIMES 05-10-89
KEN-ADELMAN
250\183p
ast Europeans remain un-
E
abashed fans of America,
Awaiting
Moscow withdrew one division from
Hungary. which remains bitter over
even if West Europeans
the suppression of its 1956 revolt.
don't. American allies may
Mr. Gorbachev assures Hungarian
receive President George Bush
blandly at the end of May, but our
Bush in
historians access to Soviet doc-
uments relating to that squalid
supposed adversaries will welcome
event. We'll see if that happens.
him warmly in July when he visits
Poland and Hungary.
Meanwhile, Hungarians long for
There Mr. Bush will feel as much
affection as Soviet President Mi-
Hungary
a total Soviet withdrawal. not being
particularly martially inclined.
khail Gorbachev feels on his forays
After all. Hungary has lost seven out
into Western Europe.
of its past seven wars. Its foreign
How topsy-turvy things Euro-
would allow privately owned and op-
policy begins to edge out of the
pean seem nowadays!
erated media. A Western news outfit
mold. Hungary is the first commu-
As the first U.S. president to visit
should pony up $1 million for the
nist country to recognize South Ko-
postwar Hungary. Mr. Bush will ex-
worthwhile endeavor.
rea. and soon will recognize Israel.
perience things that startle the eyes
Other businesses have gone pri-
Socially. the place is experiencing
and amaze the senses. The pace of
vate. There's even an embryonic
what Jonathan Edwards would call a
change there is breathtaking. the
stock exchange. In a few years. half
"great awakening." A genuine civil
tempo exhilarating.
the Hungarian economy may be in
society is being reborn. Religious.
Hungary is a remarkable little
private hands.
cultural and social groups like the
country brimming with talent. Most
And in foreign hands. Wholly
Boy Scouts sprout up independent of
U.S. nuclear scientists on the Man-
foreign-owned enterprises are al-
state or communist control.
hattan Project were born in Hun-
lowed and outside capital flows in.
gary. as were four-fifths of the hy-
Japanese own 40 percent of Hungar-
Politically, the picture is dicey. A
drogen bomb inventors. Such raw
ian securities, with the twin "tigers"
recent Communist Party poll found
talent is budding on its own soil.
of South Korea and Taiwan close be-
that it would muster only 30 percent
hind.
of the vote in a free election. More
Recently a Radio Free Europe re-
than 40 political organizations have
porter downing drinks with the boys
Still. the Hungarian economy
begun organizing. The splendid Na-
spotted a policeman beating some-
faces humongous foreign debt and a
tional Endowment for Democracy,
one outside a Budapest bar. He
declining; living standard. For the
U.S.-government-sponsored helps
dashed to the scene to record the
first time since 1952. per capita in-
local training in political and labor
happening.
come fell last year. It took a toll: the
tactics.
Finding himself in the reporter's
country's suicide rate tops the
nightmare. with a hot tale yet no way
world.
A key moment in Hungary's
metamorphosis comes a month be-
to transmit it. he gutsily rushed to
veryone admits Marxism is
fore Mr. Bush arrives. On June 16.
the state-owned station. Could he
beam his story to RFE headquarters
E
dead. Hungary's prime min-
the 33rd anniversary of his hanging
ister said last month. "The
and being ditched in an unmarked
in Munich?
model of a party state has hit a dead-
mass grave. the bones of Imre Nagy.
Though RFE had been deemed
the devil incarnate. permission was
end street and has proved to be in-
prime minister during the 1956 up-
granted. His story was sent to Mu-
capable of making further head-
rising. will be reburied with honor
nich and broadcast back the next
way.
For three decades. the mere men-
Caught between the widening dis-
tion of Mr. Nagy's name was forbid-
morning into Hungary. where It cre-
ated a sensation. The new breed of
integration of the East European
den. This year. three biographies on
bloc and increasing integration of
him have already been published.
investigative reporters queried
authorities. who mumbled lame ex-
the West European community.
The real crunch comes later If
Hungary looks West. Many there
free elections are held. the commu-
cuses.
Though lacking an independent
seek community membership.
nists will have to share power. which
press. Hungarian journalists act in-
First may come back-door associ-
means further withering away of
dependently "It's SO funny to see TV
ation through Austria. Its border
the Marxist state. In a historic first.
speaking the truth." an intellectual
with Austria is the first part of the
they could lose the Interior or De-
quipped. The government says it
"iron curtain" to come down. Hun-
fense Ministry. or lose power alto-
garians shear the barbed-wire
gether.
fence. selling snippets as souvenirs.
That seems inconceivable now
Ken Adeiman IS a nationally syn-
Soviet forces are again on the
But then again. what's happening in
Hungary seemed utterly preposter-
ated columnst.
march. but outward bound this time.
ous-rust last year.
TIMES 05-13-89
Hungary AT A GLANCE
History and Politics
POLAND
Prague
Part of the Austro-Hungarian
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Empire, Hungary proclaimed itself
SOVIET
AUSTRIA
an independent republic at the
UNION
Vienne
end of World War 1 in 1918. During
Debrecen
World War II. it allied itself with
Germany until its leader, Adm.
L
Balaton
Budapest
Nicholas Horthy, a nationalist,
HUNGARY
tried to reverse course and was
Szegede
RUMANIA
arrested by the Germans, who oc-
cupied the country. Soviet troops
Denube
overran Hungary, and in 1948 a
YUGOSLAVIA
Communist regime consolidated
control.
Miles
Belgrade
River
even tomorrow. This is a reality."
The uprising of 1956 and its
0
100
This reality, he continued, imposes
brutal suppression with Soviet
tanks shocked the world and were
The New York Times/May 15, 1988
the need for electing, even under a
multi-party system, a party committed
viewed as a historic turning point
for the Soviet bloc. Hungary was
now dominate the economy. In
to socialism. Only the Communist
led for three decades by its party
1982 the Kadar regime began in-
Party has a clearly socialist program.
chief, Janos Kadar, who was
troducing measures to decentral-
If any of the new political groups came
ize the economy and encourage
to power, there was a risk of radical
originally a supporter of the 1956
revolt. His regime tried and exe-
private enterprise. The changes
change.
initially led to a rapid improvement
"In 10 or 15 years, after two or three
cuted Imre Nagy and others in-
volved in it. Before Mr. Kadar him-
in the standard of living. More re-
normal elections under a multi-party
self was ousted a year ago, hav-
cently, stagnation set in.
system, there won't be any threat of
changing the system as a whole," he
ing lost his taste for bold eco-
nomic action and in failing health,
said 'But in May 1989, there is only one
he led Hungary to a level of eco-
party, and this party could lose an elec-
The Land and People
tion."
nomic well-being and personal
freedom unmatched in the Soviet
The official said the party did not
orbit.
Hungary covers nearly 36,000
want to preserve its power "by admin-
square miles, little more than the
istrative means or military force." In-
state of Maine. Its population of
stead, the aide said, it wants to negoti-
just over 10 million includes small
ate with the opposition a formula simi-
The Economy
minorities of Germans, Slovaks
lar to that worked out between the Pol-
and others. and the official lan-
ish Government and its opposition. In
Until World War II, Hungary was
guage is Hungarian (Magyar). The
elections next month, the Polish Com-
mainly an agrarian society. but in-
Danube is the country's only sig-
munist Party reserves for itself 38 per-
dustries, construction and mining
nificant freight-moving waterway.
cent of the seats in a newly created
lower chamber of Parliament, while
the vote for the upper house would be
unrestricted.
pressed pleasure at receiving Presi-
"We create a situation in society, a
The aide said the Grosz leadership
dent Bush here in July. placed the insti-
mechanism of checks and balances, so
did not favor creating a bicameral par-
tution of a multi-party system in the
that every day we would be able to re-
liament but wanted to propose to the
context of creating confidence among
port on actions and results and check
opposition a system that would guaran-
the Western lending institutions and
whether there is coincidence between
tee the Communist Party, at least in
private investors that Hungary must
intent and results."
the first multi-party elections, enough
convince of its credit worthiness.
Mr. Grosz made clear that he had no
members to be able to prevent the
In the view of Hungarian critics and
intention of presiding over a loosening
formation of a non-Communist govern-
defenders of the regime, as well as dip-
of his party's hold over the country by
ment.
lomats from East and West, Hungary's
allowing the proposed checks and bal-
"The first elections won't be real
economic plight. its declining standard
ances to develop quickly into a method
"elections," he conceded. He said their
of living and rising inflation, even more
of transferring power.
goal must be "to preserve stability for
than Mr. Gorbachev's liberalizing inno-
'The Leading Role'
the life of one parliament." or five
vations in the Soviet Union, are the
principal motives for the transforma-
"I think a party is a damn fool if it
years. The first "real elections," the
tion under way.
doesn't try to play the leading role," he
aide said, might be held in 1994 or 1995
said. "Why does that party exist if it
at the earliest.
Mr. Grosz cited the country's need
doesn't have that ambition? Secondly,
'A Possible Putsch?'
for $8 billion in Western capital over
the next five years to modernize its ob-
tell me, to whom should we transfer
The Grosz aide said that the party
solescent, stagnant economy, as well as
power? Can you name a force that has
was certain of winning 40 to 45 percent
its present debt of more than $15 billion
the kind of constructive program not
in the voting that he expected to be held
to Western creditors. In Parliament on
only for the management of the crisis
this year or next. The party leadership,
Wednesday, Prime Minister Miklos
resulting from our debts but also to
he said, favored a system similar to
Nemeth announced that Hungary
draw up a new social system?
that of West Germany's Parliament
needed to borrow $2.5 to $3 billion
"If we are unable in a period of six to
every year for debt service.
eight years to acquire through political
efforts the confidence of society that
proportional representation, with part
With this in. mind, the party chief
of the votes applied to individual candi-
said: "We need to have the trust and
we need to carry out our program, then
we deserve to lose its faith.'
dates and the rest to a central pool for
confidence of the financial institutions
each party.
as well as private investors."
The party chief said that although he
However, the opposition groups have
was sincere in proposing to create a
To Strengthen the Money
system that would eventually allow the
rejected a round-table meeting at
To achieve this, he said, Hungary
party to be voted out, he foresaw no
which they and the ruling party would
loss of power.
work out a formula. Instead, they have
must strive to make its currency. the
proposed a "rectangular table," at
forint. at least partially convertible, so
which the opposition would jointly con-
that foreign investors can repatriate
New Communists
front the Communists on the opposite
profits. He continued:
side. They have also said they want to
'The other element of creating confi-
dence is political reliability and stabil-
Strategy Is Based
negotiate only with Communist repre-
sentatives who are ready to accept far-
ity. because nobody would invest in a
place where they had to fear civil war
On Realism
reaching changes.
Meanwhile, the mood among those
breaking out the next day or have on
who have long struggled for a more lib-
"their minds a fear that those commu-
A senior aide to Mr. Grosz explained
eral regime is exemplified by a round-
nists' will change their minds and in
the party's strategy in a separate inter-
robin question a magazine is putting to
five years nationalize it.
view. He said the leadership believed
writers known for their critical views.
"To create safeguards, we try to
that there was no choice but to pre-
It is: "Where will you be in case of a
shape the political system, the political
serve the Communist system. Alluding
possible putsch?"
superstructure in such a way that its
to the Soviet role in Hungary's fate. he
Gyorgy Konrad, the best-known of
operation would give guarantees for
said: "This part of Europe became
such writers, said, "Even if it is a bit of
preventing events like that. One of the
part of the socialist world. We can
irony or mockery, it gives you some-
main ways of doing that is the estab-
change this, but not today. Perhaps not
thing quite near to a shiver."
lishment of a multi-party system. What
do we seek by that? It is the following:
we put our own party under social con-
trol by taking it out of the existing
mechanism, which is a one-party sys-
tem.
L.A. TIMES 05-18-89
Much Is Ending in Hungary
but Not Communist Rule
By JEFFREY KAYE
ernment to move toward a free-market
and MITCHELL KOSS
1830
economy. But adopting capitalist features
has proven to be a mixed beg. Hungary has
Almost every week in Hungary another
instituted stock-ownership and licensed
symbol of the old-style East Bloc collapses.
half a million entrepreneurs. At the same
Within the past month the Soviets began to
time, austerity measures such M cuts in
withdraw their troops, Hungarian soldiers
subsidies have resulted in a 20% annual
started to dismantle the physical manifes-
inflation rate and pushed one-fifth of
tation of the Iron Curtain-an electronic
Hungary's 10.6 million people below the
fence at the Austro-Hungarian border-
poverty line. In addition, the country faces
and deposed party leader Janos Kadar, the
large-scale unemployment as state-run
man the Soviets installed to rule the
industries are put on the auction block.
country after the 1956 uprising, was
Although Hungarians may be hurt in the
stripped of all formal ties to the Communist
pocketbook by such radical changes, they
leadership.
don't seem to be backing away from the
These changes come in a year in which
Communist Party. Opinion polls indicate
Hungary has already made more than
that the most popular political figure is also
token moves toward democracy, steps that
the man spearheading many of the reforms,
could theoretically allow the defeat of the
Imre Poragay, a member of the Politiburo.
Communist Party in free elections prom-
So far, the Hungarian public seems to
ised for 1990. But it would be a mistake to
have little interest in alternative politics.
assume these moves will inevitably lead to
The 30,000 or so opposition activists are
an end to Communist rule.
mainly intellectuals and students. One
To the contrary, a case could be made
dissident leader, environmentalist Judit
that the faster Hungary's movement to-
Vasarhelyi, complained that the opposition
ward democracy, the better the chance
is being hurt by the nimble theft of its ideas
that the Communists will prevail.
and slogans by the Communists. She
Under its Communist government, Hun-
worries that the relatively unsophisticated
gary is rapidly moving toward a peaceful
opposition could be outmaneuvered by a
realization of the same demands for which
party with long experience in steering
hundreds of its people died in the failed
public opinion.
anti-Soviet uprising of 1956. In contrast to
Right now, opposition groups are offer-
last year, when dissidents were still being
ing little alternative to the party's program
arrested. the government has now legal-
of radical reform. Rather than staking out
ized freedom of association and assembly.
clear ideological territories at this point,
Organized opposition groups have been
the various opposition organizations are
allowed to form and begin recruiting
propounding a vague potpourri of political
members for transformation into legal
thought. Gaspar Miklos Tamas, a leader of
opposition parties. Going far beyond Po-
the League of Free Democrats, told us, half
land's leaders in democratization, Hunga-
in jest, that his party follows the "two great
ry's government is rewriting its constitu-
traditions of liberalism, one of which is
tion. a move that it claims will guarantee
known in the United States as liberalism.
development of a multiparty democracy.
The other of which is known in the United
In the three weeks we were on assign-
States as conservatism."
ment in Hungary this March for PBS's
In order to outflank the party, some
"The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour," we saw
opposition groups may be forced to move
the organizing conventions of three nas-
further to the right. But such postures are
cent opposition parties, the Social Dem-
likely to backfire and play into the Com-
ocrats, the League of Free Democrats and
munist Party's hands. As a nation accus-
the Democratic Forum. We also reported
tomed to full employment and social wel-
on the largest anti-government demon-
fare faces unemployment and inflation,
stration since 1956-an event the gov-
opposition parties that project Milton
ernment not only facilitated by declaring
Friedman-like values are not going to be
the day a legal holiday. but also legitimized
popular with voters.
by devoting extensive coverage to it on
The Communist Party has built up a
state-run television.
degree of trust with the Hungarian people
Hungary's reforms were not forced by
by delivering the highest standard of living
the opposition. Rather, the government
in the East Bloc. Even though Hungary's
implemented radical reforms because of an
consumerist proclivities are being eroded
economic crisis: Hungary can no longer
by the government's reforms, no credible
afford to maintain welfare state socialism.
alternative is emerging with a well-devel-
Having been forced by circumstances to
oped political platform. Unless it does,
act. Hungary's Communist Party moved
voters are likely to see the Communist
quickly to seize the initiative, proclaiming
Party as a reliable force of moderation.
itself a "party of reform" and trying to keep
the public's attention on democratization
Jeffrey Kaye, a senior producer at KCET-
instead of on the painful privatization of the
TV in Los Angeles, is a correspondent for
economy.
PBS "The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour."
Western banks. owed more than $18
Mitchell Koss is a producer for KCET:
billion, have obliged the Hungarian gov-
national productions department.
In Hungary, the Political Changes
TIMES 05-16-89
Are Tempered by Economic Fears
1838
By HENRY KAMM
Special to The New York Times
BUDAPEST, May 14 - In an atmos-
The announced economic changes,
phere of increasing freedom of expres-
hich still await definition and enact-
Within the ruling party, whose lead-
sion, Hungarians are looking forward
agent, foresee elimination of the state
ers all owe their rise to the former Gen-
subsidies that make consumer prices
eral Secretary, Janos Kadar, installed
to a possibility that after 44 years of
attificially low and protect jobs by
by Moscow as It put down the revolt,
Communist rule the party may permit
keeping alive unproductive enter-
"Hberals" and "conservatives" can be
free elections that could one day drive
prises.
Identified by the view they have
it from power.
The economic plight of the average
adopted on 1956.
But, deflating hopes held by many in
Hungarian has not reached the poverty
The 55-year-old Mr. Pozzgay, in
the West and few in this nation of skep-
that has become common to many
whom non-party liberals as well as re-
tics, Karoly Grosz, the Communist
Poles and Yugoslavs. But the standard
form-minded Communists place their
of living, long among the highest in the
best hope for leadership, has Identified
leader, said in an interview that it
would be six to eight years before the
Communist world, has suffered steady
himself with the opinion that the rising
attrition through the 1980's.
was an authentic national movement.
party would run the risk of being
Consumption is declining, and the
Mr. Pozsgay has built a reputation
ousted by the voters.
Government acknowledges that it will
for enthusiastic support of the innova-
Hungary is heading toward multi-
continue to do so until the projected
tions of Mikhail S. Gorbachev, the
party politics under official promises
changes bring about an upturn.
Soviet leader.
to convert the Communist system,
Stock Market in Embyro
A National Uprising?
modeled on the Soviet Union's, into a
The central statistics office reported
Within the party, Mr. Pozsgay is a
more democratic society and freer
that in the first quarter of this year
loner, not in close contact even with
economy.
food prices were up by 13.8 percent
others committed to renewal. This in-
This prospect" excites those who
over the same period last year, cloth-
cludes Mr. Nyers, his 66-year old Polit-
value above all freedom of expression.
ing prices by 19.4 percent and services
buro colleague, who was the architect
by 13.9 percent.
of the economic changes of the late
It does not cheer the majority, which is
While little has been done to ease the
1960's. They were halted and Mr. Nyers
more concerned with growing eco-
nomic hardship.
pressure on most Hungarians, the Gov-
ousted when the "Prague spring"
The Communist Party, led by Mr.
ernment this year introduced the eye-
aroused Soviet opposition to all similar
catching device of creating the first
movements.
Grosz since last May. has dictated
stock exchange in Communist Europe.
Hungary's fate since 1945, eliminated
Because foreign investment capital is
Mr. Grosz, 58 years old, who through-
all other parties and built a centralized
not rushing into Hungary, it has done
out his political life represented strict
economy that is mired in such crisis
virtually no trading.
Communist orthodoxy, first adhered to
that the party concedes that salvation
"It's embryonic,' said George Soros,
the view that 1956 was a "counterrevo-
an American of Hungarian birth, who
lution." As the significance of the issue
must come from the West.
heads the Quantum Fund, a mutual
in the power contest rose, however, he
Aware of the need to make Hungary
fund. Mr. Soros is here to mark the fifth
moved to a centrist position. Mr. Grosz
more acceptable to the West, the party
anniversary of the cultural and educa-
engineered a compromise in which the
has yielded to demands for recognition
tional foundation that he finances.
1956 events were said to have begun as
of the principles of political pluralism
Despite the far-reaching changes
a "national uprising" and degenerated
and civil liberties and the creation of a
taking place, the public mood is unex-
into "counterrevolution."
mixed economy with wide private own-
cited, with little of the enthusiastic
In what many Hungarians saw as a
ership and a determining role for mar-
mass participation that marked the
gratuitous act intended to use the 76-
popular movements here and in Poland
year-old Mr. Kadar to deflect blame
ket forces.
from today's leaders, the party this
Because of skepticism about Mr.
in 1956. the "Prague spring" of 1968
and the Polish Solidarity movement of
month cast him into virtual disgrace.
Grosz's commitment to profound
1980-81.
Pronouncing him physically and men-
change. many Communists believe
tally ill, it completed his downfall,
that internal challenges to his leader-
'Dissidents' Now Lionized
begun when Mr. Grosz replaced him a
ship are likely to remove him before
"There is fear and apathy," said Fer-
year ago. It expelled him from the
Hungary holds its first free parliamen-
enc Koszeg, a leader of the Alliance of
honorary post of party president and
Free Democrats, a group that grew out
membership on the central committee.
tary election.
of the dissident movement that spoke
Mr. Kadar's consent to Hungarian
Mr. Grosz suffered a significant
and printed critical views long before it
participation in the Soviet-led invasion
political setback when on Friday the
became permissible. "They don't be-
of Czechoslovakia in 1968 is one of the
Cabinet suspended work on the Hun-
lieve that the organizations can be ef-
charges now laid against the former
garian section of a multibillion-dollar
fective. There is even a suspicion that
leader in the columns of the press and
hydroelectric power project on the
they are movements of intellectual
on the air.
Danube north of Budapest and hinted
elites, not attached to the masses."
at abandonment of the dam within two
With exceptional civic courage, a
months. As late as May 1. the party
small group of dissidents, as they were
New Parliament
chief reiterated his support for the
called until recently. had over the
years asserted their civil liberties and
joint Czechoslovak-Hungarian enter-
preached them to the nation through
Election May Come
prise. which has financial backing
illegal publications, often seized. and
from Austria.
meetings in private homes, frequently
In November
Advocates of change favor for the top
raided by secret police. Now their
jobs two Politburo members identified
views are being proclaimed not only in
Many Hungarians look forward to
more convincingly than Mr. Grosz with
new. unofficial dailies and weeklies but
the expected parliamentary elections,
the modernizing movement. They are
also in the official press. which a few
perhaps as early as November, as the
Imre Pozsgay and Rezso Nyers.
months ago denounced or ignored
first step toward dislodging the Com-
Four of the political parties that
them.
munist Party from power. This is not a
were dissolved by the Communists four
Writers and philosophers who less
view shared by Mr. Grosz. his advisers
decades ago have come back to life,
than a year ago, under the same re-
or his associates, even some in whom
and new political organizations that in-
gime. experienced the force of police
liberals place faith to transform the au-
tend to constitute themselves as par-
truncheons on their backs now find
tocratic party into a democratic body
ties have been legally formed. Only one
themselves in demand for talk shows
ready for power-sharing or even a
and university symposiums, contribu-
change of rule.
of the reborn or new groups claims
more than 4,000 members.
tions to the press and the right to pub-
In a 90-minute interview in his spa-
lish their books in translation,
cious office at party headquarters in
Mechanisms are being prepared that
Pest on the left bank of the Danube,
are to lead this year or next to a law es-
overlooking the green hills of Buda
tablishing the rights of parties, parlia-
New Politics
across the river, Mr. Grosz defined his
mentary elections and the framing of a
view of a multi-party system and made
more democratic constitution.
clear that he regards the replacement
Defining 1956
of Communist government by another
New Economics
Is the Touchstone
party as a long-term prospect at best.
The General Secretary, who ex.
Amid Decline,
At the center of the intense reexami-
nation of the past, fraught with present
Brave Hopes
day political significance as Commu-
nist leaders compete in an unacknowl-
edged power struggle, is the uprising of
The main concern for the majority of
1956, its crushing by the Soviet Army
Hungarians is the steadily declining
with the help of Hungarian suppor'
standard of living, and to them the con-
and the execution of its leader, Imre
stantly echoing word "reform" means
Nagy.
mainly the threat of an end to Govern-
ment subsidies, with unemployment
05-23-89
Hungarian Asks
Direct US. Aid
To Industry
By Frank Swoboda
Washington Post Staff Writer
The spokesman for Hungary's
fledgling independent trade union
movement yesterday urged the
Bush administration to bypass the
government and provide direct aid
to private industry as a way to
speed political and economic reform
in the communist-bloc nation.
Tibor Vidos, spokesman for the
Democratic League of Trade
Unions, said the current govern-
ment has already squandered $18
billion and still has been unable to
cope with the nation's economic
problems. The $18 billion is the
total amount of Hungary's current
foreign debt, which it received in
the form of government aid and
loans from commercial banks and
international lending agencies.
Vidos said Hungary has no internal
sources of capital to fuel an eco-
nomic recovery.
President Bush is scheduled to
visit Hungary in July, at a time when
the nation's economy is in a state of
crisis and the ruling Communist Par-
ty IS in the midst of an internal strug-
gle to reform itself. At the same
time, nearly a dozen independent
political parties are jockeying for
support in next year's elections.
Vidos said the United States
should promote the development of
small and medium-size businesses
with direct investments that bypass
the communist government. He
said Hungarian law allows compa-
nies with fewer than 500 workers
to receive aid directly from foreign
investors.
In the long run, Vidos said, the
only real hope for the Hungarian
economy is to get rid of the Com-
munist Party. But he conceded that
would take a long time.
He said he looked to the party
reform movement-the Reform
Circles-to help guide the country
through its economic transition.
Vidos came to Washington last
week to negotiate some direct aid
of his own. He has been meeting
with U.S. labor officials to discuss
both financial aid and technical as-
sistance to help the independent
unions organize new members and
administer their operations.
The Democratic Trade Union of
Scientific Workers was formed just
a year ago this month and Vidos
said that he and other organizers of
Hungary's first independent trade
union have had little experience
operating or expanding a union. He
said independent trade unions in
Hungary represent only about
10,000 workers in the scientific,
teaching, and journalistic fields.
Although the new trade unions
represent a low percentage of the
Hungarian work force, Vidos said
"our public acceptance is very good.
We say things in a different way"
than people are used to hearing.
WALL ST.J. :05-24-89
Bulletin: We Won!
The Free World is reeling from too
make sure the Soviets understand that
much success. Students in China
the costs of backsliding will be high.
carry around a replica of the Statue of
As the President put It in Texas two
Liberty and sound like Patrick Henry.
weeks ago, the U.S. task is now "to
The Polish regime sits down with
convince the Soviet Union that there
Lech Walesa and recognizes Solidar-
can be no reward in pursuing expan-
ity. The Baltics agitate for Independ-
sionism; that reward lies in
the
ence from Moscow, while Mikhail
evolution of the Soviet Union toward
Gorbachev proposes unilateral arms
an open society."
cuts in Europe.
Nowhere is this clearer than in Eu-
And in Washington, there's
dis-
rope, where the critics want Mr. Bush
may. All of these happy developments
to "respond" to every new Soviet ini-
are beside the point, moans the na-
tiative. Mr. Bush is urged to negotiate
tion's political community, because
away NATO's last nuclear weapons:
George Bush somehow isn't "doing
instead he's keeping his eye on the
something" to win "the public-rela-
Warsaw Pact's dominance in conven-
tions" war. Bring back Mike
tional forces. On Sunday, he cited the
Deaver!
pact's nearly 12-to-1 advantage in
The moans are heard from all po-
short-range missile and rocket
litical sides, left and right. though
launchers, and more than 2-to-1 ad-
they may have been captured best by
vantage in main battle tanks.
columnist David Broder. who this
While much of Washington swoons
week compared Mr. Gorbachev to
at Mr. Gorbachev's nuclear gambits,
Gandhi and JFK. By contrast. he
in Geneva the Soviets recently pro-
added. President Bush seems "rooted
posed conventional-arms reductions
in the past." clinging to old "ideolo-
that aren't very far from NATO pro-
gies."
posals. Mr. Bush may want to explore
Perhaps Mr. Broder thinks one of
these ideas before he removes the last
those outmoded "ideologies" is the de-
nuclear weapons that protect U.S.
mocratization that Mr. Gorbachev
troops from surprise attack.
keeps endorsing. Or maybe he's refer-
Others-even conservatives-want
ring to the free press and free speech
Mr. Bush to propose some grand deal
that the Chinese demonstrators de-
that would pull U.S. troops back from
mand. The last time we checked. the
NATO in return for Soviet withdrawal
man repudiating 70. years of his na-
from Eastern Europe. Of course. once
tion's history was Mr. Gorbachev. not
the U.S. withdraws, it is probably
George Bush. Perhaps it simply would
gone for good. Mr. Gorbachev, or his
be easier to say that Mr. Gorbachev is
successor, can return in a few
now following in the footsteps of Ron-
months-at a cost in Western opinion.
ald Reagan.
to be sure. but he can still return. Mr.
Washington's problem is that it
Bush's task would be to ensure that
won't claim victory. While the late
Soviet withdrawals are permanent,
1970s saw. U.S. setbacks from Afghani-
which means that troops also are de-
stan to Angola to Central America.
mobilized back in the U.S.S.R.
the late 1980s have brought reversals
As for political imagery. the one
on nearly every front. Ronald Reagan
thing Mr. Bush might profitably do
rebuilt U.S. defenses, gave Stingers to
more of is talk about the yearning for
the Afghans, heralded free markets,
freedom sweeping through the Com-
and unleashed Western science upon
munist world. His remarks about
space-based defenses in a technologi-
China's demonstrations have seemed
cal race the Soviets couldn't possibly
pinched for such a mammoth cry for
win. Despite a setback or two when
freedom. He could do worse than re-
Congress resisted, containment plus
peat every week or so Ronald Rea-
the Reagan Doctrine worked. If the
gan's clarion call for liberty at Mos-
Cold War is over. the West has won.
COW University last year.
Yet now the same people who
It is Mr. Gorbachev who is moving
fought Ronald Reagan want George
our way and the Communist system
Bush to embark on a new if ambigu-
that is failing rather than our own. If
ous global strategy. Little wonder
the Soviets tear down the Berlin Wall,
that he's cautious. favoring what he
why should the West feel compelled to
called in a speech on Sunday "a delib-
respond? We didn't want it built in the
erate, step-by-step approach to East-
first place. The Soviets have to move
West relations."
or stagnate: George Bush can stand
Mr. Bush's task is to consolidate
pat. resist complacency, and welcome
and extend the Reagan victory. to
defecting communists to the West.
By evoking such symbolic departures from Soviet
Eastern Europe Tests
dominance, Hungary and Poland are sounding deep
echoes in the consciousness of other East Europeans, a
risky game in a region where nationalist feelings have al-
Diverging Paths
ready ignited two world wars.
The stakes for the West are also considerable. As
Events the East bloc that exemplity the
The Limits of Liberalism
they applauded the Warsaw accords, officials on both
movement toward liberalization in some
sides of the Atlantic recognized that the danger of popu-
countries and againstit in others
lar uprisings could jeopardize even the modest changes
Mr. Gorbachev has favored.
Czechoslovalda, January 1989,
1838
Should the United States and its European allies, as
Playwright Vaclav Havel and dozens of other
ment continued control of the essentials like the military
former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger has sug-
opposition leaders imprisoned In drive to state
By JOHN TAGLIABUE
and security apparatus and, despite some loosening, the
gested, seek to negotiate a new arrangement for the re-
growing dissent,
press. Moreover, the new powerful office of president
gion under which the West would guarantee the continua-
will most certainly fall, by consent of the Communist
tion of the Soviet sphere of influence in exchange for
Hungary, March 1989:
WARSAW
Party and Solidarity, to Gen. Wojclech Jaruzelski, who
guarantees that the Soviets will not interfere with the
Tens of thousands march in Budapest to mark
HE sweeping new measures announced last week
T
has ruled Poland since 1981 and who declared martial
growth of freedoms in the region? Or should the West
in Poland demonstrate once again how rapid the
anniversary of 1848 papular uprising put down
law in December of that year in what turned out to be an
continue a policy of encouraging liberalization in the na-
pace of change has become in parts of the East
with Russian help. Official permission for
unsuccessful effort to crush Solidarity once and for all.
tions on a country-by-country basis without offering Mos-
bloc - more rapid than in Moscow and fast
march is part of liberalization that Includes:
enough to generate new debate in the West about how far
So far, the changes in Poland and Hungary seem
cow reassurances that could prove to be unnecessary
concessions? Certainly, this route would cost the West
legalization of non-Communist parties.
It should go in encouraging political transformation in
aimed at producing a kind of grand coalition in which
Communists will keep the leading role for the moment,
the least and be least likely to offend.
Eastern Europe. The Polish measures, which legalize the
Poland, April 1989:
Solidarity trade union and introduce changes in virtually
but will cede ever larger chunks of influence to other par-
The West's Credits
After year of labor unrest, Government signs
every area of political, cultural and economic life, are
ties. In Hungary, the Government has approved laws
In any case, Western countries must decide whether
accords with Solidarityrestoring union's legal
certain to broaden the ideological gap in the Soviet bloc.
permitting political parties, though it is not clear how
much power - If any the Communists will share with
to provide substantial financial assistance to Poland as It
status and providing for first open elections
On one side are Poland and Hungary, lurching ever
them, and allowed the formation of independent trade
struggles toward a less restrictive society. Last week,
aince World War II.
more fitfully, prodded by severe economic difficulties,
unions.
the Bush Administration was reported to be seeking new
down the path of change. On the other are East Germany,
East Germany, February 1988:
Still, appetites once whetted will not easily be satis-
credits for Poland from American and international
Crechoslovakia, Rumania and Bulgaria, which accept
Dissidents arrested and others exced
fied. And as Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968
lending institutions. But little money is available in the
neither the need for experimentation nor its desirability.
Indeed, the ink on Warsaw's pact was hardly dry
demonstrated, liberalization creates its own momentum,
West for largess toward East Europe.
stepped-up harassment of embryonic
Hungarian leaders who have visited Moscow recent-
opposition. Government criticizes changesion
when an East German newspaper fired a broadside at
rapidly overtaking more modest concessions and height-
ening the risk of unrest If rising expectations are not met.
ly, including Prime Minister Miklos Nemeth, have
other Communist bloocountries, including the
Communists who favored such suspect commodities as
competing political parties and independent trade
As though sensing the enormity of the problem, the Soll-
brought back the message that Moscow blesses what
Soviet Union:
unions. "This is not socialism," the newspaper said, "and
darity leader Lech Walesa last week offered to travel to
Budapest is doing and views the country as a laboratory
of change. Similarly, Poland's Government spokesman,
Rumania, March 1989:
it will certainly not develop from this."
Moscow "to seek understanding for the Polish reforms."
Jerzy Urban, returned from Moscow and offered assur-
House arrest and interogation of several
The East German jibes identified Moscow with War-
1956 Reconsidered
ances that the Soviet Union would no longer Interfere in
former Communist Party officials who objected
saw and Budapest. But Poland's new order is also likely
In their efforts to gain greater legitimacy and sal-
internal Polish affairs. Indeed, he said, "they now bend
to razing hundreds ofvillages and relocating
to test the outer limits of what Moscow itself is willing to
vage the vestiges of authority, the Governments in Po-
over backward to avoid the impression of meddling."
peasants, Including thousands of ethnic
accept.
land and Hungary have made concessions to revived na-
If all that sounded too good to be true, there were
Though advisers to Mikhail S. Gorbachev, the Soviet
Hungarians and Germans.
tional feelings. The Government of Hungary has debated
also ominous signs. Hungary's leader, Karoly Grosz, re-
leader, have given assurances that their East bloc allies
the potentially explosive matter of whether the events of
turned from Moscow after Mr. Nemeth to tell Hungar-
Bulgaria, January 1989:
have the right to choose their own road to socialism,
1956 constituted a popular uprising, as most Hungarians
lans that Mr. Gorbachev, who has tried to lay the Brezh-
Three leaders of emerging human rights group
relaxing if not revoking the Brezhnev doctrine that as-
serts Moscow's right to intervene militarily, the changes
believe. Moscow and the Hungarian Communists have
nev doctrine to rest, had cautioned against allowing
arrested after group'sco-founder is endled.
of last week had many Poles and other East Europeans
always asserted that It was a counter-revolution. The
events in Hungary to give rise to conditions like those in
Crackdown occurs asGovernment pays lip
Polish Government recently rejected what for 45 years
Czechoslovakia in 1968. Shortly thereafter, Pravda
wondering how Moscow would respond If a government
service to Soviet-stylechanges.
chose a path away from Communism.
was the official version of the wartime execution of thou-'
warned of a rise of nationalism and "anti-socialist" feel-
For the moment, the prospect of that happening does
sands of Polish officers, asserting that Stalin's security
Ing in Hungary. The message was aimed at Budapest,
not appear large. The Polish changes assure the Govern-
police, not the Nazis, were the killers.
but Poles heard It clearly, too.
Hungarian Shoppers Beat a Path to West, Buying in Vienna
773) 1830
By Robert J. McCartney
Washington Past Foreign Service
WASH.POST :04-10-89
VIENNA-A gray-baired Hun-
The mass shopping trip illus-
The two states are cooperating
spree. brought $160 million into Viennese merchants'
garian metron in a threadbare over-
trated a broad-based heightening of
in building a hydroelectric power
coffers, the city's Chamber of Commerce said.
coat stood on the main: shopping
cooperation in the last two years
station at Nagymaros in Hungary to
The numbers of Hungarian shopping trips have soared
street of this Austrian capital with
between two countries that are par-
dam the Danube River, which links
since Jan. 1, 1988, when the Budapest government grant-
bags of bananas and high-quality
coffee unavailable in her hometown
ticularly well suited to experiment
their capitals. Austria is underwrit-
ed all Hungarians the right to hold passports. It also in-
of Gyor, 65 miles southeast of here.
in lowering the barriers between
ing the project. with debt-burdened
creased the quantity of Hungarian currency that holders
capitalist and communist states that
Hungary to pay its portion with
can exchange-at favorable rates-for such western cur-
She was on her first trip to a city
have divided Europe since World
electricity. Construction is under
rency as Austrian schillings. Austrians visiting Hungary
that once had served as ber par-
way despite charges of harm to the
provide the schillings.
ents' capital, under the old Austro-
War II.
Hungarian Empire.
Hungary has one of the most
ecology.
"Ninety-nine percent of my business is with Hun-
change-oriented leaderships in the
Vienna and Budapest have sched-
garians," said Wolfgang Chroma, 30, co-owner of an elec-
Her daughter, 13, clutched a
boxed radio-cassette player, with
Warsaw Pact, at the forefront of
uled a joint international exhibition in 1995. Billed as the
tronic appliances store.
efforts to relax controls on the
first East-West world's fair, it is titled "Bridges to the
Some visitors load several washing machines, personal
which she said she planned to listen
economy, travel and internal polit-
Future."
computers or other appliances onto trucks, and resell
to Michael lackson tapes. At $140,
it cost about $50 less than at
ical debate. It hosts 65,000 Soviet
Budapest plans soon to tear down the last electronic-
them in Hungary. But most come with families or other
home the rare ocasions when
troops, fewer than either of its
ally nionitored fences and watchtowers along the border,
one is Surbale there.
more strategically located allies,
Hongurian Foreign Minister Peter Varkonyi told his Aus-
small groups for one big purchase, such as a television
East Germany and Czechoslovakia
trianvounterpart, Alois Mock, in February.
set, and for odds and ends such as hair spray.
The two were among 300,000
to the northwest.
Hungary long ago removed the mines along the border
Despite this week's publicity over what headlines
Hunganium shoppers who flocked to
Austria, although thoroughly
that-caused occasional injuries in the 1960s. Its border
called Vienna's "Hungarian boom," official figures show
guards normally do not shoot at people trying to slip
Austrians made about 10 times as many visits to Hungary
Vienna at the start of last week in
capitalist and with a western-style
what the Interior Ministry called
parliamentary democracy, is offi-
across the frontier.
in 1988 as did Hungarians to Austria.
The two countries' relationship has deep roots. "We
Austrians made 7 million visits to Hungary last year,
the biggest mass crossing of Cen-
cially neutral. Its foreign policy
tral Europe's most porous East-
since it regained independence in
have 400 years of common history" in the empire, Pap
frequently for inexpensive hunting trips, spa cures and
1955 has been clearly pro-western,
Gabor, a Hungarian who is the technical representative in
other vacations. They also go for bargain prices in the
West border.
Budapest of the American corporation Polaroid, said
East Bloc for dairy products and meat, and dental work
The Hungarians came to avoid an
import tax increase that took effect
while it has sought to use its posi-
here. His boss works in Vienna, and he visits often.
and other services. An Austrian woman said she pays
tion as the West's most forward
On April 1, Hungary's Cardinal Laszlo Paskai attended
$2.50 for a visit to the hairdresser in Budapest-and sev-
Saturday, and to take advantage of
outpost in Central Europe as a
the funeral here of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's last
eral times that much in Vienna.
last Tuesday's national holiday
Austria's easternmost province of Burgenland eati-
marking Hungary's liberation from
bridge to the East Bloc. Foreign
surviving monarch, Empress Zita. She was deposed with
the Nazie in 1945. The influx of
Ministry officials said Vienna seeks
Emperor Karl as the empire collapsed in November 1918
mates that it loses $60 million in sales each year as a re-
now to strengthen ties with Hun-
at the'end of World War I. The remnants became Austria,
ault of its residents' shopping in Hungary.
cars and buses caused 40-mile traf-
fic backups along the highway be-
gary as a way of encouraging liberal
Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and parts of Yugoslavia, Poland
For Hungarians, the biggest obstacle to travel here has
policies favorable to western inter-
Romania and Italy.
become their shortage of hard currency. Overall trade
twean Vienna and Hungary's cap-
ests.
has decreased since 1985 because of the shortfall.
ital, Budapest, 130 miles away.
In the 1800s, the Austro-Hungarian partnership in
Asked why the products they purchased in Austria
leading the empire was frequently troubled by Budapest's
were scarce or more expensive at home, the woman from
independent-mindednes and nationalism. "Our relations
Gyor smiled brightly and answered, "because of [Hun-
with Hungary are better now than they were under the
garian Communist leader] Karoly Grosz." She did not re-
empire," the Austrian Foreign Ministry official said with a
spond when asked to explain further and would not give
chuckle.
her name.
On Mariahilfer Street in the heart of Vienna's retail
district last Monday, Hungarian families lugged television
sets, stereos and videocassette recorders. The two-day
.MON. :04-11-89
Hungary: It's America' to Refugees
183p
tries would be close to war if they
husband and wife, so one of the
Hungary is acting on its own In
weren't restrained by the Soviet
pair makes the journey to Buda-
mid-March it became the first
By Anne Underwood
Union," says a Western diplomat
pest legally and waits for the
Warsaw Pact country to join the
Special to The Christian Science Monitor
in Budapest.
other to sneak across the border
1951 Geneva Convention on ref-
BUDAPEST
As Hungary prepares to dis-
later. Even if the couple meet up
ugees. The Hungarian govern-
mantle its fences along the border
in Hungary, they know there are
ment hopes that as a result, it will
F she has any regrets about
with neutral Austria, the Roma-
large numbers of friends and fam-
soon start receiving aid from the
I
leaving Romania, Maria Boc-
nian government is strengthening
ily - sometimes their own chil-
United Nations High Commis-
zoni doesn't show them.
its barricades against its socialist
dren - that they may never see
sion for Refugees. It also hopes
A year after claiming refugee
neighbor. Recent arrivals say Ro-
again.
the UN will put pressure on Ro-
status in Hungary, she and her
manian border guards shoot on
Communications back home
mania to let citizens join their rel-
husband have found jobs and a
sight and have installed a tripwire
are not easy. Letters arrive
atives abroad.
two-room apartment. Half their
on the border.
opened, if they arrive at all. It can
If the refugees of Hungarian
rent is paid by her husband's fac-
"The Iron Curtain is coming
take five or six hours to get a
origin find life difficult at times,
tory. Her son is able to go to
down between Hungary and the
telephone line to Romania, and
the situation is bleaker for those
college - something he was un-
West," notes Istvan, a volunteer
then sometimes the operator
of Romanian ethnic background.
able to do in Roma-
working with the refugees. "It is
misconnects the call.
For them, arrival in Hungarv is
nia because of quotas
going up instead between Hun-
"Even if you get through,"
not a homecoming. Most sav they
for the 1.7 to 2 mil-
gary and Romania."
says Mrs. Boczoni, "you are not
want to move on to a third coun-
lion ethnic Hungar-
For most of the 26,000 refu-
free to talk because you know in-
try. Some hitchhike to the Aus-
ians in that country.
gees, life in Hungary is an im-
formers in Romania are listening
trian border dozens of times in
"This is our
provement. The grocery stores
to the conversation and recording
the hope that the car the are
America," says Mrs.
are stocked with real meat and
everything."
riding in will not be checked.
Boczoni.
vegetables instead of the pictures
Although the refugees can
"We want to go to the West,
It's been more
or plastic models of food that are
easily obtain residence permits,
maybe to Germany," savs Adri-
than a year since
often found on shelves in Roma-
they cannot become Hungarian
anna, pointing to her husband
Hungary began ac-
nia. There is electricity all day
citizens because of a bilateral
and daughter, Melinda. They
cepting
refugees
long and heating during the
agreement between Hungary and
have lived for the past eight
from Romania - as-
winter.
Romania forbidding dual citizen-
months in a concrete high-rise
tonishing the world
The vast majority do not have
ship. Gabor Bagi, head of the For-
that was leased by a church group
by the image of peo-
to contend with the culture shock
eign Ministry department that
to house as many as 280 refugees.
ple fleeing one War-
that faces most of the world's ref-
deals with Romania, says Hun-
Adrianna's family shares the com-
saw Pact country to
ugees. Eighty-five percent are of
gary is weighing the conse-
munal kitchen with a dozen other
another. The refu-
Hungarian ethnic origin and al-
quences of withdrawing from the
families. In their one-room apart-
gees keep coming -
ready speak the language when
agreement.
ment, the only decorations are
by the thousands,
they arrive. They know the cus-
some shriveled balloons and a
fleeing what they say
toms and traditions, and many of
E have raised the citi-
W
sheet of gift wrap taped !0 the
is constant persecu-
them have relatives in Hungary
zenship issue with
wall.
tion. Within the So-
who will lend a helping hand.
Romania, but they
Still, most refugees have few
viet bloc, where "fra-
But there are problems. "Fam-
refuse to talk," he says. "They
regrets.
ternal"
conflicts
ily reunification is our biggest
continue to hold us responsible
"In Romania, they used :0 re-
never used to sur-
headache," says Maria Vince of
for the refugee flow instead of
fer to the Hungarians as ix-gor,
face, the exodus is a
the Hungarian Red Cross.
asking themselves why people are
'the homeless people,' savs Ist-
hot issue.
The Romanian government
fleeing the country.'
van. "Here no one says we are
"The two coun-
will not give passports to both a
Failing bilateral solutions,
homeless."
:04-12-89
INTERVIEW
Hungarian Premier: Reform Is Risky, Painful
and Vital
183
honor on June 16, the anniversary of his execution.
(restructuring) began here in the late 1960s, it has had
Many Hungarians seem to welcome this swirl of
uneven effects. "Without political reform," says
By Ned Temko
political change. One woman says she has long wanted
Nemeth, "economic reform was a little bit one-sided."
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
to become a teacher, but can't bring herself to endure
Mr. Gorbachev, 100, has excellent reason to wish
BUDAPEST
the ponderous history courses needed for the degree.
Hungary well. Nemeth has displayed a frank readiness
Under the present system, she explains, "they don't
to confront issues of perestroika that most Soviet reform-
W
HEN Miklos Nemeth was eight years old, his
dare ask any question more recent than 1956. It's
ers have dared not address. Of course, Nemeth says.
native Hungary tried to opt out of Soviet-style
because they scared of the answers they might get."
there is the risk of free-market problems, like inflation
communism. The Soviets answered with
Now, she hopes, that will change.
and unemployment, in any serious move to let the
tanks. The prime minister, Imre Nagy, was executed.
Kalman Kulcsar is a longtime lawyer and academic
market sort out decades of state-decreed inefficiency.
Now, Mr. Nemeth has become prime minister. "His-
who, as Hungarian justice minister, is writing the new
"We have to live with this
side-effect."
he
says.
torical socialism is not practical, not useful for society,"
constitution. Hungary, he explains, has throughout his-
The solution, he suggests, is Western-style social
he said in a Monitor interview. Hungary needs free
tory been influenced both from the Fast and West. The
democracy. Will it work here? No one, presumably, will
elections, a multiparty system, a free-market economy.
Western influence, he says with apparent satisfaction,
want to know more urgently than Gorbachev. And few
"We need more pragmatism and less ideology."
now seems poised to reassert itself.
people can be more keenly interested in Gorbachev's
And this time, he is convinced, Moscow will answer
political longevity than the Hungarians.
not with tanks, but with thanks. Soviet leader Mikhail
T
HE new law, to be submitted to a popular
Nemeth plays down the link between the pace of
Gorbachev, says Nemeth, has told him so.
referendum early next year, will drop the tradi-
Soviet perestroika and the prospects for reform in Hun-
These are heady days in Hungary, even by the
tional East-bloc provision for a "leading role"
gary. Regardless of what happens in Moscow, he said,
standards of perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost
for the Communist Party, he says. It will provide for a
there was simply "no other possibility than to go fast
(openness). The communist-run parliament has en-
judicial court - and for a system of checks and balances
and to take this [reform] route."
dorsed the idea of multiparty elections: A new constitu-
among the various branches of government.
But another senior official, in an informal chat, is
tion, enshrining this and other reforms, is being drawn
For reformers like Mr. Kulcsar and Nemeth, one
more circumspect. He, like Nemeth, suggests that re-
up. The party has named a committee to take a new
catalyst for change is simple pragmatism. The old sys-
forms in both the Soviet Union and Hungary have
look at Hungarian history: One member has already
tem has won gradual, grudging acceptance since 1956,
progressed too far to be completely reversible. But, he
reclassified the 1956 "counter-revolution" as a popular
but not the grass-roots enthusiasm needed to ensure
adds, smiling, "I wake up every morning wishing that
uprising, and Nagy's remains will be reburied with
prosperity and stability. Although economic perestroika
all goes well for Mr. Gorbachev."
N.Y. TIMES 04-13-89
Hungary Ousts 4 Conservatives in a Party Shuffle
183p
By JOHN TAGLIABUE
the chief ideologist, Janos Berecz, and
The decisions, reached after a spe-
Special - The New York Times
Janos Lukacs, the party's senior ad-
clal full session of the Central Commit-
WARSAW, April 12-The Hungarian
ministrator.
tee, elevated two new members into
Communist Party shuffled its senior
A Visit to Moscew
the Politburo, the party's highest rul-
leadership today, dismissing the par-
ing body, but reduced the overall size
ty's chief ideologist and three other
The moves were significant, coming
from 11 members to 9. The new mem-
conservatives on the Politburo and pro-
only days after a visit to Moscow by the
bers were Mihaly Jasso, the 53-year-
moting two advocates of change.
party's General Secretary, Karoly
old leader of the local Budapest party
The moves, approved after a day of
Grosz-who-rose to power at a special
organization, and Pal Vastagh, the 43.
debate within the Central Committee
party congress last May, and the an-
year-old leader in Csongrad, in eastern
of the Communist Party, come at a
nouncement of broad liberalizing
Hungary.
time of stepped-up social and political
changes in Poland. Warsaw and Buda-
-change They left the core of leaders
pest are among the Eastern-bloc capi-
Advocates of Change
representing the most liberal tenden-
tals most agreeable to political and
Both men, but notably Mr. Vastagh, a
cies, including Imre Pozsgay and
economic changes like those that have
university lecturer who recently reor-
Rezso Nyers, in place. The ousted con-
been undertaken throughout the Soviet
ganized the Csongrad party structure,
servatives on the Politburo included
Union.
are numbered among advocates of
change.
A Western diplomat said by tele-
phone from Budapest that the moves
were seen as necessary to restore the
solidity of a party that has been shaken
as it struggles to lead Hungary out of
serious economic stagnation and main-
tain the initiative as alternative politi-
cal groups increase.
A Concillatory Path
Hungarians reached in Budapest
said that Laszlo Major, the party
spokesman, asked by an interviewer on
state television whether the decisions
reflected serious breakdown of party
unity, replied, "No, no, that is not the
case."
In excerpts from a report to the com-
mittee by Mr. Grosz that were pub-
lished in the final statement of the com-
mittee meeting and reported by the
Hungarian press agency, the party
leader sought a conciliatory path. He
asserted that while "political, ideologi-
cal and organizational" problems had
arisen in party ranks, "renewal and
development processes had also ap-
peared."
In the last 18 months, party member-
ship has dropped by 100,000, to 780,000
members. The decisions came amid in-
creased calls for party unity and action
against factions within the party oppos-
ing change.
Review of Activities
In February, the party ordered a full
review of its activities and personnel
after serious public disagreement
among its top leaders. The spark for
the differences was afforded by a de-
bate over how to define the 1956 events
in Hungary, in which Soviet forces
crushed the Hungarian uprising. Be-
neath the surface, however, what split
the leadership was differences over the
pace and scope of change.
A Compromise View
At a Central Committee meeting
later that month, the party endorsed a
compromise view of the 1956 events,
ruling that what began as a legitimate
uprising had degenerated into a revolt
against the Communist system. But the
party leadership appeared to accept
the consensus at that meeting that
Hungary's economic crisis and politi-
cal uncertainties made an open leader-
ship split unacceptable.
Also dismissed from the Politburo
were the Health Minister, Judit Cse-
hak, and Istvan Szabo, often identified
as a representative of the conservative
farm lobby.
WASH.POST:04-17-89
Rough Roads Workers Paradise
Change Will Create Hardships for Those Who Sought It Most
183
By Jackson Diehl
lab United Workers' [Communist]
Washington Post Foreign Service
Party. I think we will aptil Hip
GDANSK, Poland-Nine years after they first
seem destined to how transtuous
the party will split up.
For Kuron, philoso Adam
i
draped their gates with the banners of Solidarity, the
fordes that will rend both sides 10
Michnik and Leszek Kofakowaki,
workers of the Lenin Shipyard won their battle this
pieces while encouraging danger-
1
and other theorists of the Polish
month for independent labor unions and radical political
ous currents of populiam and na-
opposition, the new wave of
change in Poland Yet Solidarity's activists have failed
tionalism. As this political upheav-
)
change represents the triumph of
to get the due pledge that matters most to the workers:
al moves forward, millions of ped-
that when democracy comes, they will still have jobs.
a political formula they began to
ple will be dislocated by the ECO-
elaborate in the 1970s. Their pro-
The huge ard here is bankrupt and, even if some
nomic uprooting of socialism as
of the 9,000 lebs can be saved, the workers' future
posals came in the wake of the
inefficient state factories are
would remain bleak. As a result of the economic pro-
failed attempts at revolution
gram that the government and opposition have agreed
closed down, prices are ruthlessly
against the Communist system in
on, all the workers will see their living standards sink
raised and vast welfare structures
Eastern Europe, such = the Hun-
and many will face unemployment and poverty.
are replaced with competitive
garlan uprising of 1956, ## well as
Thus it is that the workers who started Poland's
markets.
the defeat of efforts by llberal
struggle for change now threaten to boycott the histor-
The goal of the emerging part-
Communist leaders to introduce
ic elections for a new parliament and freely elected sen-
nerships between the Communist
reform from above, most notably
ate that their movement achieved. "We are simply try-
and opposition elite here and in
during the 1968 "Prague Spring"
ing to save our skins," Alojzy Szablewski, the yard's
Hungary is to ensure that the
In Crechoslovakia.
veteran Solidarity leader, said of the boycott, aimed at
transition remains both peaceful
forcing the government to keep the yard open.
and orderly enough to be tolerated
Broken Monopoly
The crisis at Solidarity's birthplace at its moment of
by Moscow. Yet. keeping the
The Polish dissidents urged the
vindication is a sign of the tensions and contradictions
peace will require persuading
construction of independent, non-
large parts of society-among
violent movements by citizens into
them workers who lose their
a "civil society" that would effec-
DISMANTLING COMMUNISM
jobs-that their sacrifices will
tively break the Communist mo-
benefit the nation and their chil-
Second of three articles
nopoly on social organization and
dren.
set the stage for a negotiated pro-
cess of change. To avoid a violent
built into the new wave of change beginning in Eastern
Splitting Up
revolution, Kuron and Michnik
Europe. In a shift unimaginable before Mikhail Gorba-
chev came to power in the Soviet Union, the Commu-
If the process succeeds, neither
argued, the ruling Communists
nist leaders of Poland and Hungary have embraced Sol-
the shipyard nor Solidarity will
would eventually accept a partner-
survive in anything like their
ship with independent groups that
idarity's ideals and planned a
would organize a gradual, peaceful
peaceful evolution away from the
present form. Moreover, workers
evolution to a more democratic
who could move the world in
Communist system.
1970, 1980 and 1988 by striking
system.
The new era of transition differs
Solidarity's effort to begin that
fundamentally from the reform
will never again enjoy SO much
process failed in 1980-81, and So-
relative political power. economic
programs attempted in Eastern
viet pressure eventually prompted
privilege and social prestige in
Europe over the last 20 years—
the Polish army to suppress the
and now adopted by Gorbachev for
their country. Marx's proletarian
union. Yet, as the new partnership
the Soviet Union. Its aim is not to
dictatorship. in some ways per-
between opposition and govern-
versely realized in the Poland of
repair the Marxist-Leninist sys-
ment in Poland was formally
tem of economic socialism and
the 1980s. will be replaced by the
sealed this month, the interior
one-party rule, but to abandon It in
professional and business classes
minister, Gen. Creslaw Kiszczak.
that dominate western economies
everything but name, replacing it
who lost a seven-year battle to
and the voters who will elect pol-
with a market economy and form
liquidate the movement, paid the
of government modeled after
iticians to parliament.
dissidents a special tribute: Po-
"Someone said to me: 'Well, in
land's "reformed sociopolitical sys-
those of neutral European states
such as Sweden, Finland and Aus-
four years Solidarity will win the
tem," he said, "is to rest on the
elections and the Communists will
idea of civil society."
tria. As the final document of the
be out,' dissident Jacek Kuron
Although Hungary's indepen-
"round table" accord signed by the
wrote in a recent essay. "But that
dent and opposition movements
Polish Communist leadership
is a kind of thinking that supposes
are not nearly as large as those of
bluntly put it. "This is the begin-
that our present situation will still
Poland, the party leadership in
ning of the road toward parliamen-
exist in four years. And our whole
Budapest also has adopted the Pol-
tary democracy."
chance lies in the supposition that
ish model, opening talks with op-
The new evolution offers the
along the way we will create an
position groups about a negotiated
promise to Poles and Hungarians
entirely new political geography,
process of change. The two cour.-
of gaining the personal freedoms,
favoring political stabilization. so
tries have developed similar aims
economic prosperity and, eventu-
that in four years we won't have
and even similar timetables: each
ally. the real national sovereignty
Solidarity running against the Pol-
plans a shift to a parliamentary
denied them since the division of
system through partially demo-
Europe in 1945. And yet the pro-
cratic elections. Poland will hold
cess also involves a crisis of tran-
its elections in June, while Hun-
sition, creating risks and hardships
gary is due to hold its vote early
unimagined until now by many of
next year after allowing time for
those who have fought to initiate
new political parties to organize.
the change.
The Communists would initially be
Over the next few years, the
guaranteed control over govern-
new partnerships between the rul-
ment, in part through the institu-
ing Communists and opposition
tion of a powerful presidency, but
forces in Poland and Hungary
would yield to free competition by
a range of political parties in the
mid-1990s.
Both Hungary and Poland plan
to allow independent and apposi-
tion media In the next year, as well
WASH.POST:04-17-89
as trade unless.
Local government will be
Catholic parties. Although they
have signed 1 commitment to free
strengthened and elected demo-
lies in the military and police.
parliamentary elections in 1993,
cratically while courts will be
senior Communist officials are al-
OPZZ leaders, topped by party
made more independent from the
Politburo member Alfred Mio-
ready hedging on the pledge, say-
party. Meanwhile, econotitic man-
ing it is "only a goal.
dowicz, are already seeking to un-
agers will be trying to shift the
"In fact, no dne knows what the
dermine the political alliance be-
economy to a free market system
in which state ownership would
situation is going to be like in
tween the party leadership and
three of four years, no one has any
opposition with populist appeals to
frustrated workers.
idea of how the next elections will
Ballic
0
50
Some politicians in Hungary and
work," said Michnik. "The idea of
MILES
Poland now edict that the ruling
the Communists is clearly that
Gdansk
E
they will save themselves through
parties will eventually split into at
GER.
Warsaw,
least two parts, a hard-line Com-
SOVIET
this reform process and that they
POLAND
UNION
will win the next elections."
munist organization and 1 progres-
give Social Democratic party. In
Indeed, perhaps the greatest
CZECH.
Hungary, the Ferenc Munnich So-
challenge of the transition to the
clety, a group of hard-line Com-
AUST
new system will be the effort by
Budapest
munists, already embodies one of
HUNGARY
the ruling parties in Poland and
the trends, while a fledgling Social
ROMANIA
Hungary to remake themselves
Democratic Party is seeking to
Black
entirely.
YUGO.
attract the right wing of the ruling
Sea
Learning Politics
Socialist Workers' Party.
THE WASHINGTON POST
The split in the Communist par-
"We have to become a real po-
ties will be accompanied by a
litical party," said Janos Berecz.
breakdown of the opposition into
operate on equal terms with co-
who until last week was the chief
myriad factions that will then have
operatives, foreign investors and
ideologist of the Hungarian party.
to rebuild and ally themselves po-
private entrepreneurs. Unemploy-
"In the past, our basic role was to
litically under conditions of open
ment, together with stock mar-
control economic production. The
electoral activity. The process is
kets, will soon appear in both
problem was how best to influence
already well under way in Hunga-
countries.
the bureaucracy. Now we have to
ry, which nourished only two
What will remain of Eastern
aim at the citizens. because they
broad dissident trends in the
Bloc socialism as it has been
are the voters. We have to enter
1970s and 1980s but in the last six
known since 1945? In Hungary, a
into disputes and discussions at
months has seen the creation of a
vague list of ideals will be written
the grass roots and have toierance
dozen or more competing noncom-
into the constitution. "The consti-
for people who shout back."
munist parties. many of which are
tution will define some values,"
In theory, Polish and Hungarian
further divided by internal splits,
explained Istvan Degen, a staff
party leaders would like to change
In Poland, where Solidarity cre-
official of the Hungarian Socialist
the profile of their party member-
ated an alliance between intellec-
Workers' (Communist) Party Cen-
ships, bringing in real organizers
tuals and workers in 1980 that
tral Committee, "such as social
and politicians to replace police-
claimed to represent the aspira-
care as a basic position. not to give
men and bureaucrats. and estab-
tions of Polish society as a whole,
up the possibility of full employ-
lish a system of internal democ-
many intellectuals and youth have
ment as a goal, and the dominance
racy rather than issuing orders
already split off into separate po-
of public ownership, which doesn't
from above. Yet in practice, such a
litical groups such as the Freedom
mean state ownership. After all, if
three people start up a company,
shift means attacking the positions
and Peace Movement. Although
that's already public ownership."
and privileges of tens of thousands
Solldarity remains a powerful sym-
In Poland, chief party ideologist
of people now employed as party
bol. even the union's most loyal
managers in factories or in state
supporters expect that it will lose
Marian Orzechowski was asked by
administration. or holding power-
much of the rest of its political
an interviewer recently, "What
ful positions in the huge military
activists and may organize only 30
guarantees do people have that
the party is not going to give up
and security apparatus.
to 40 percent of workers.
one by one the values and goals
In Hungary. the task will be rel-
In addition to differences of per-
implicit in socialism?"
atively easier, because the Hun-
sonality or tactics, powerful eco-
"There are no such guarantees."
garian party retains a large corps
nomic forces are changing the po-
Orzechowski promptly replied,
of intellectuals and political pro-
litical landscape in Poland and
fessionals, including a number of
Hungary. The new economic sys-
adding, "because some of the
professed Social Democrats, who
tem will soon create a class of af-
things said by Marx, Engels or
strongly favor radical reforms. In
fluent private businessmen whose
Lenin are no longer true in the
Poland. however, repeated purges
interests will differ sharply from
world today."
and upheavals in the Communist
those of workers. Even among
In private, some party officials
party. particularly after 1981,
workers, there will be divisions
concede that the only check that
will prevent Hungary and Poland
have had the effect of stripping it
between winners in the white-col-
close to its core of 900,000 mem-
lar professions. who will see their
from reverting entirely to West-
ern-style democracy in the 1990s
hers in the military. security and
wages and affluence rise sharply
economic apparatus. where the
under the new system, and blue-
will be the need to maintain ties to
Moscow. The party. they say, may
average age is 46.
collar workers. who will be pushed
need to keep control over military
After a battle stretching over
down the social scale.
and foreign policy for an extended
several months. Polish Communist
Where once East European SQ-
leader Wojclech Jaruzelski was
cieties were polarized between
period to guarantee Warsaw Pac:
able to force the overall plan for
supporters and opponents of Com-
commitments. while economic pol-
reform in the country through the
munist rule, now they will be
icy must be handled in a way that
does not radically disrupt trade
Central Committee. with about
aligned in a more Western fashion
with the Soviets.
one quarter of its members oppos-
according to greater or lesser sup-
ing him.
port for private enterprise, indus-
In Poland, the prospect of full
trial development, social welfare
democracy is particularly ques-
Populist Appeals
and environmental protection.
tionable because of the likelihood
"Until now the political battle has
that any Moscow-ailied communist
Yet in practice, the Polish party
been about whether our countries
party would receive only a fraction
has already split, with the leader-
ship of the Communist-run trade
were going to be totalitarian or
of the votes in free elections if
democratic." said Michnik. "Now
forced to run against nationalist or
unions established in 1982, known
by their initials as the OPZZ,
strongly opposing the new pro-
gram with the tacit support of al-
3q3
WASH.POST:04-17-89
taught workers' children for
free-and made less money-will
set up lucrative, and expensive,
private clinics and schools.
Ironically, the new political sys-
tem won by workers' strikes will
have the effect of stripping work-
ers of much of their disproportion-
ate power. By shifting the sources
of power from Communist factory
organizations and unions to voters
and parliaments, the reform pro-
cess will probably create political
coalitions that, unlike the party,
can force the new austerity on.
workers and ignore their strikes.
A Role for Union
In Poland, Solidarity leaders see
a role for the union in acting as a
bridge between the political re-
formers and the workers, nego-
tiating the factory closings, price
increases and wage restructuring
SO that the process moves forward
but is bearable for workers. "If
Solidarity is going to survive and
enjoy mass support, the market
reform that Solidarity supports
will have to have very strong lim-
its," said Ryszard Bugaj, a leading
opposition economist. "It must be
done with the brakes on. and the
whole question will be how much
to have the brakes on. There has
to be the appearance of an elite
that arbitrates between various
social groups and the economic
policy."
Yet both in Poland, where Sol-
we will have a completely different
landscape, and there will be a dif-
idarity's support among workers is
ferentiation among the democratic
ebbing, and in Hungary, where
groups."
industrial workers are largely un-
Above all, the challenge of the
organized, there is a danger that
transition to this new system will
workers who feel unrepresented
be in managing the decline of the
in the new political system and
biggest losers in the reform pro-
besieged economically will rebel.
cess: blue-collar industrial work-
A repeat of the Hungarian uprising
ers. For decades these workers
of 1956 or the violent clashes be-
have been pampered by Commu-
tween workers and troops in
Gdansk in 1970 could throw the
nist rulers. granted the highest
wages and benefits and catered to
entire process of change into dis-
with free social services and sub-
order in Poland and Hungary or
sidized food. In Poland, workers
prompt Soviet intervention.
have also acquired enormous po-
"To succeed, we need to be able
litical power, making them capable
to reach out to people and offer a
of halting price increases-or
minimum of hope," said Bronislaw
bringing down governments-
Geremek, one of Solidarity's top
with their strikes.
strategists. "We need to convince
Yet, as the continuing crisis at
them that if they accept hardships
the Lenin Shipyard portends, one
now, they will be rewarded with a
of the first steps of the economic
dignified and decent life in the fu-
reforms in Poland and Hungary
ture. Our greatest problem is that
will be to close down or radically
SO many people now, after all the
scale back the operations of inef-
failures of recent years in our
ficient state-run heavy industries.
country. have no hope. We have to
Hundreds of thousands of workers
find a way to give it to them."
will experience unemployment for
NEXT: The environmental crisis
the first time. Those who remain
will be forced to work much hard-
er as Western companies and pri-
vate investors buy into state firms
and insist on major changes in job
rules. Meanwhile, workers will see
their real wages pushed down
while many other groups in society
soar ahead of them. Doctors and
teachers who once treated and
WALL ST.J. :04-20-89
The Hungarians Take Themselves Public
Stock Exchange Finds Few Buyers After Budapest Bond Crash
By BARRY NEWMAN
1831
waits for bids. The dealers stt.
"We are donkeys!" be says without be-
Staff Reporter of Tax STREET JOURNAL
"Any demand?" asks the woman.
ing asked a question. "All bonds cheat the
BUDAPEST-With the Cold War wind-
"Does anybody want to buy? Any trade?
people. The companies don't lose. For
ing down, this might be the right time to
Who's buying?
them, inflation comes in handy. means
buy into an underperforming communist
Mr. Jarai bends toward the Americans
they pay back less! They profit, and we
tank stock.
and whispers, "Everybody wants to sell.
are kaput."
New tank orders have declined sharply
Nobody wants to buy."
from a year ago, market analysts here
Regaining Investor Confidence
"You mean you mean these are of-
say, turning at least one unnamed low-mul-
fers for sale and and no buyers?" says
The stock exchange hopes to do better
tiple maker of Hungarian tank-chassis into
Richard Furlaud. Mr. Furlaud, who is
in the Investor-confidence department.
a prime takeover target for a shrewd port-
chief executive officer of Squibb Corp.,
Hungarians, always ready for calamity,
follo investor with staying power over the
seems to find this hard to Imagine.
still carry a few billion dollars worth of
medium term.
"Any offers? Any bids?" the woman
pocket money. Inducing them to invest It
"This company didn't realize that the
says. A dealer raises a finger; it's a trade
requires a law, due this year, that will in-
army wouldn't need more tanks," says
at last. Everybody smiles. A flashbulb
troduce such comforting movelties as au-
Zsigmond Jarai, the pin-striped, 37-year-
pops. Mr. Peterson still looks puzzled.
dits and annual reports. The law could also
old chairman of the Budapest Stock Ex-
"Do you have a debt-rating system
lead some companies to issue shares, even
change. "Now it's looking for some new in-
here?" he asks Mr. Jaral.
when they aren't about to collapse.
vestors. They can buy very cheap."
"No, not yet.
Just in case, investment bankers. rating
Mr. Jarai tips the tank unit as a not
"Then how do investors take Into ac-
agencies, accountants and brokers are all
prospect for repositioning into shipping
count risk?"
setting up shop. The first brokerage house
containers. A buyout feeler. he confides,
"They can't," Mr. Jaral says. "This Is
off the mark, a firm called Co-Nexus, has
may soon fax in from an unspecified
a problem. I think in a few years we will
opened a swanky office with gray couches,
player in the U.S. "They can reorganize
have a rating system."
gray carpets and red telephones.
the company, change the management for
Mr. Peterson smiles politely.
"I'm a conservative capitalist and
Americans," he says.
proud of it," says Bela Jansco. A 68-year-
The challenge: "We have to get them to
Salvation in Equities
old with white-blond hair and gold-rimmed
understand the Hungarian investment sys-
Pressed for time, he and the other
glasses, he owned a seat on the old Buda-
tem."
Americans leave before the action moves
pest Stock Exchange. His commissions
Entitled to Sell
from bonds to stocks. They don't miss
dried up in 1948.
much. Not a share trades. "It seems the
That seems easy enough. Since Jan. 1,
"We had 90 years of history," he says.
supply side is going a little ahead of the de-
any company in Hungary has been entitled
"It's different now. We must persuade cli-
mand side," says Mr. Jarai. But these are
by law to sell any number of shares to
ents. We must explain everything. So far.
anybody. Marxism's other big market
early days, and few in this country doubt
nobody is interested." But then he flushes
that socialism's salvation lies in equities.
with enthustasm and adds: "The fact that
maker, China, has eased off on stocks and
A stock market, the Hungarians have
bonds since a recent drop in the ideological
shares are on sale is a great advance for
indicators. But Hungary advises a blanket
realized, is an ingenious device for moving
our ideology."
"buy." And investors here can span the
money around. It can supplant central
On the assumption that Mr. Jansco and
planners in much the same way the steam
spectrum now from socialist worker to
his future competitors do eventually in-
capitalist raider.
engine supplanted mules. An ideologue
spire a trade or two, the stock exchange is
Still, a communist stock market does
may fear the rise of a class that gets rich
rushing to get ready. Advisers are piling in
have its inconsistencies. Even the most
cutting coupons. but Hungary's managers
from London. Milan. and the World Bank.
flexible of the East Bloc's reform-driven
have other worries. They are losing subsi-
Soon, a tender will go out for the computer
dies. They need cash.
hardware. And the search is on in Buda-
nations may take five or 10 years to iron
them out. Hungarians are hard put to ex-
"Of course, some people are against all
pest for a trading floor.
this," Mr. Jarai says. "They are the ones
plain. for instance. how it is that a com-
Unfortunately, the old stock exchange
who lost money when the bond market
pany owned by the people can go public.
building isn't available; it was seized by
crashed."
Among companies that do, an unnervingly
Hungarian television. But Mr. Jarai has
large proportion are close to going bank-
For those who missed it, the Hungarian
his eye on another place. It's a big. empty
rupt. Or SO it's said, since an outside inves-
bond-market crash took place in October of
room at Karl Marx University.
1987, when something else caused a dis-
tor has no way of finding out.
traction in New York. To recap: In 1984,
Maybe this is why Peter G. Peterson
the bond market opened; yields were 11%,
looks puzzled. Mr. Peterson, former chair-
inflation 7%. A few hundred thousand peo-
man of Lehman Bros., is an investment
ple bought. Three years later, with yields
banker who heads the Blackstone Group,
still at 11%, the government issued an in-
specializing in mergers and acquisitions.
flation forecast of 15%. A few hundred
Now he sits against the blank wall of a
thousand people sold.
windowless room, in a row of touring
Prices therefore dropped. Rudely sur-
Americans with similarly puzzled looks.
prised by this, the crowds have since
They have come here, to the stock ex-
thinned in the lavish bond-buyers' hall of
change, to watch some stock get ex-
Budapest Bank. Marble columns, brass
changed. Mr. Jarai stands to one side, ex-
chandeliers and reassuring beeps from
plaining.
computer terminals haven't done much for
A woman at a microphone first recites
customer relations.
a list of bonds. At narrow black tables, 25
On a weekday morning, one sad man
dealers from the state's banks sit mute.
studies the gold-lettered list of bond prices
Each time the woman reads a name, she
on a board at the hall's grand entrance.
:04-22-89
Radical Economic
Pribatization of State-Owned Companies Proposed
Before Karacs
that
could
liabe
up
annually with the
BUDAPEST- high level Hum-
Soviets
would
then
insist
garian government committee has
market quality to match the
drafted a far-reaching three-year
The government's economists
program that would abandon step-
the Soviet Union would be
by-step economic reforms in faver of
to pay compensation.
radical measures such as factory
"I have talked to three prominent
closings, privatization of state-owned
Soviet economists-[Oleg] Bogomo-
companies, budget cuts and the
lov, [Leonid] Abalkin and [Abel]
stimulation of private enterprise.
Aganbegyan," Akos Balassa, a mem-
The draft program also calls for
ber of the Hungarian government
switching trade with the Soviet
reform committee, said in an inter-
Union to a dollar basis within two to
view, "and they have all described
five years, and negotiating for asso-
the idea [of hard-currency trade]-bs
ciate membership in the European
conceivable." The idea also was dis-
Community.
cussed by Prime Minister Miklos
The 115-page document was pre-
Nemeth during his recent trip to
pared by the government's Econom-
Moscow, and the Soviets were said
ic Reform Committee, set up last
to be impressed by the potential of
year under Rezso Nyers, a senior
gaining a great deal of hard currency
Cabinet minister and a member of
at the outset.
the Communist Party's Politburo
But for Hungary, Balassa ex-
who was the father of Hungary's
plained, the initial flow of dollars- to
1968 economic reforms.
Moscow would be offset by the
The document is remarkable for
long-term prospect that "Hungary
its pessimism about the prospects
could become a bridge" for trade
for change within the Soviet Bloc: "It
"between the West and the Soviet
would be an illusion to expect rapid
Union," attracting Western firms
positive change. since even in the
that seek to tap the potential Soviet
Soviet Union the transformation of
market.
the internal economic mechanism is
The draft program foresees that by
expected to be rather a slow and
the end of 1992 the infrastructure of
contradictory process, and several
the domestic market would be in
Comecon countries do not support
place, with stock exchanges to help
any changes." Comecon is the East-
the flow of capital into the country.
em Bloc's trading organization.
State-owned enterprises would be
The document notes that Moscow
split up, turned into joint-stock com-
has given Hungary carte blanche to
panies or sold to private individuals
implement internal changes, "provid-
and foreign capitalists.
ed the reforms do not fundamentally
By that time the first steps would
alter our alliance commitments." But
have been taken to make the domes-
the rest of Eastern Europe, the com-
tic currency, the forint, convertible,
mittee's report warns, is likely to be-
and Hungary would be seeking associ-
come a disaster zone where "the
ation with the European Community.
emergence of new focal points of cri-
The government plan envisions a
sis or the deepening of old crises
form of associate membership, with
cannot be excluded."
Hungary undertaking to "adapt to the
The solution for Hungary, the au-
internal rules and norms of the Com-
thors argue, is to make drastic cuts
mon Market" while the EC would al-
in its trading ties with the East,
low Hungarian goods free entry.
while maintaining its membership in
The government intends to unveil
Comecon. and to reintegrate into
the program next month, and until
the world market.
then changes could still be made. But
The program offers two alterna-
government sources are confident the
tives for switching trade with the
Communist Party, whose final seal of
country's largest export market, the
approval is required before the plan
Soviet Union, to a dollar basis. Ac-
can be submitted to parliament, will
cording to the first version, dollar
raise no objections.
trade with Soviet companies should
Opposition to the program is more
be introduced in 1991, virtually
likely to come from abroad-from
overnight. The second alternative
Hungary's Communist allies and from
sees a gradual, five-year transition
Western creditors. concerned over
to dollar trade.
the need for additional credits on top
Although Hungary currently has
of a current foreign debt of about
an annual trade surplus of 150 mil-
$13.5 billion. While the document
lion rubles (about $240 million at of-
mentions no figure, Balassa said Hun-
ficial exchange rates) with Moscow,
gary would need a modernization loan
thanks to the unrealistic pricing
of between $1 billion and $1.5 billion
mechanism that operates within Co-
to implement the huge structural
mecon, economists here estimate
changes the program would entail.
wouldn't qualifs
40 2 (c) - usually Hn r any
now one Y R wainer -
Few weels yo Bish signed I YR Waner
-we DONTWANT SYR, BECAUSE it
WOULD HURT THEM.
House votel down 5 yR
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1989 A13
Jim Hoagland
English Spoken-in Paris?
That Day Is Coming
PARIS-Even in an era when Communist
the calculation that Germans, Spaniards, Danes-
dictators use their powers to promote demo-
and others would continue to choose English as
cratic elections, when Republicans preside over
their primary foreign language and. turn to
huge budget deficits and HUD scandals in
French as a a respectable second choice.
Washington, when the greenhouse effect and
"The integration of Europe is changing the
temperature inversions scramble the weath-
way history is taught and culture is perceived in
er-even then, Americans should be able to
these countries. We can be less nationalistic"
count on a few time-tested verities: Like Mike
and more open to cooperating with other na-
Tyson's left jab, ants at a picnic, the French
tions, Allais said. "In France, as a result of two
being snooty and defensive about their lan-
World Wars, history was taught in a very
guage and culture.
But another fixed point of the international
landscape is on the move. The French are
beginning to recognize that the sun has set on
"It is a dangerous thing
their linguistic empire. They increasingly see
that language is an important weapon in the
for the educated classes
commercial wars raging around the globe and
that the tongue profiting from this is not theirs.
of important countries
President George Bush put it-bluntly this
summer in Budapest in announcing the dispatch
of Peace Corps English-teachers to Eastern
not to speak foreign
Europe for the first time. "English is the lingua
franca of world business, the key to clinching
languages."
deals from Hong Kong to Toronto. Learning
English would "open the global market to more
-Maurice Allaiso
Hungarians," Bush said
Not too long ago, Bush's contention (not to
nationalistic way." This is no longer necessary
mention his syntax) would have been derided,
or desirable.
satirized or ignored by French intellectuals and
I had expected Allais to provide provocative
politicians. Now, any number of Frenchmen will
insights about his country; I had not expected
tell you that Bush is absolutely right. And they
him to provide them about my own. But Ameri-
will tell you so in English if you don't speak
cans should consider the contrast drawn by this
French. That is news, as any monolingual
sympathetic and perceptive foreign observed;
American who has visited Paris before this
between Europe and the United States.
change began will tell you.
The concern expressed in Le Monde, Allais
On the day Bush was speaking in Budapest,
told me, was prompted by a recent trip abroad
his point was being echoed here by Maurice
during which he was stunned by the extent to
Allais, the 1988 Nobel laureate in economics.
which "educated people in Japan, in Canada
Writing in Le Monde, the Paris daily, Allais told
the United States do not speak French or any
his countrymen that it was time to adjust to the
Photo Copy Preservation
other foreign language. It is a dangerous thing
economic and scientific realities created by the
for the educated classes of important countries
growing dominance of English in the world
not to speak foreign languages. We are heading
today.
into an era of greater mutual incomprehension
Allais is a well-known figure in France, and
among peoples, when demographic trends are
not just because of his Nobel for economics, the
destabilizing many countries, when Latin Amer-
first ever to a Frenchman. A few weeks before
ica is economically unstable, when communist
the October stock market crash in 1987, he
societies are unstable, when we may be on the
published several articles warning of the "insta-
edge of chaos."
bility" of financial markets and the dangers
Allais sees the growing acceptance of English
investors faced. Since then, when Allais writes,
as having negative feedback for Americans who
people listen.
no longer feel any pressure to learn foreign
He is now warning the French that they have
languages. "What strikes me when I visit Amer"
to accept and try to exploit the secondary rank
ica is that it seems much more nationalistic
that France commands as a linguistic power if
than ever. And I am struck by the degradation
they are to avoid a broader intellectual crash.
of English in public use, in newspapers or in
By agreeing to publish more in English. and
speeches. It is as if the American people feel
achieve wider international recognition, intel-
they can afford to be indifferent to their lan
lectuals can preserve "French thought," as op-
guage."
posed to the French language. This Luther-
As Bush noted in his Budapest speech, for
esque schism between French thought and
eigners today are not indifferent to Englishr
French language would have been branded
They are eager to learn English and other
heresy even a decade ago. Today, it wins Allais
foreign languages and to use them correctly;
support.
and expressively as a passport to fuller and
The Allais plan also includes European trea-
better lives. That is true today even for the
ties to require university graduates to learn two
French.
foreign languages. He would graft these trea-
It is a desire that every American should
ties onto the European integration process in
share.
Maried.
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: HUNGARY DEPARTURE STATEMENT
JULY 13, 8:35 A.M.
I WOULD LIKE FIRST TO THANK OUR HOSTS, AND THE
PEOPLE OF HUNGARY, FOR THE WARMTH OF THEIR HOSPITALITY
TO BARBARA AND ME. ((ACKNOWLEDGE LEADERS))
I WAS THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
TO VISIT YOUR COUNTRY SIX YEARS AGO. BUT NOW I AM
ESPECIALLY HONORED TO BE THE FIRST AMERICAN PRESIDENT
TO HAVE COME TO THIS BEAUTIFUL LAND.
- 2 -
DURING THE PAST TWO DAYS WE HAVE MET WITH
HUNGARIANS FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE. I SAW ((TURN-OUT
NUMBER)) HUNGARIANS TURN OUT AT KOSSUTH SQUARE, A
REMINDER OF THE SACRIFICES OF HUNGARY'S PAST. AT
PARLIAMENT, I MET WITH THE POLITICAL LEADERS OF THE
PRESENT - -- LEADERS WHO HAVE THE COURAGE TO CALL FOR AN
HISTORIC ELECTION.
- 3 -
AND AT KARL MARX UNIVERSITY, I SAW THE HOPEFUL FACE OF
HUNGARY'S FUTURE AND ANNOUNCED A SERIES OF AMERICAN
ACTIONS TO ENGAGE MY COUNTRY MORE DEEPLY IN THAT
FUTURE.
AND THROUGHOUT, I FELT A DEEPENING OF THE
FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND THE HUNGARIAN
PEOPLES.
- 4 -
IN JUST A MOMENT, WE WILL LEAVE FOR PARIS FOR AN
ECONOMIC SUMMIT WITH WESTERN LEADERS. THIS WILL BE AN
HISTORIC MOMENT FOR EUROPE, FOR THE NATIONS OF THE
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY ARE MOVING STEADILY TOWARD ECONOMIC
INTEGRATION IN 1992. AND THIS SHOULD MEAN MORE THAN
JUST A VAST TRADE OPPORTUNITY FOR HUNGARY. As YOUR
ECONOMY MODERNIZES, YOU WILL PLAY AN EVER GREATER ROLE
IN THE EVOLUTION OF A NEW EUROPE -- A EUROPE THAT IS
WHOLE AND FREE.
- 5 -
WHILE IN PARIS, WE SHALL ALSO CELEBRATE THE
INDEPENDENCE OF THAT NATION AND THE DECLARATION OF THE
RIGHTS OF MAN. BUT THESE RIGHTS ARE NOT FRENCH, NOR
ARE THEY AMERICAN. You ARE PROVING, HERE IN THE
HEARTLAND OF EUROPE, THAT THE RIGHTS OF MAN ARE THE
PROPER BIRTHRIGHT OF US ALL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME, GOD BLESS YOU, AND
GOD BLESS HUNGARY.
#
#
#
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16TH DOCUMENT of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Public Papers of the Presidents
Remarks to Students and Faculty at Karl Marx University of
Economics in Budapest, Hungary
25 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1084
July 12, 1989
LENGTH: 2458 words
Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister and Mrs. Nemeth, ladies and gentlemen, Dr.
and Mrs. Csaki, it is a great pleasure for Barbara and me to be back in
Budapest. And I am very proud to be the first American President to visit
Hungary. Some might find it ironic that I am speaking at a university named
after Karl Marx. [Laughter] If you don't find it ironic in Hungary, try it on
for size in the United States. But the fact that I am here today is less a
cause for surprise than proof that America welcomes the unfettered competition
of ideas. And I understand that 50 or so of the faculty from this great
university have been as either students or teachers in the United States of
America. And that is a very good thing for my country, and I'm glad you came
our way.
The University's principal task is to promote a competition -- an unfettered
competition of ideas. And that is the spirit that brings us together: a spirit
that guided a great teacher at Karl Marx University, whose name was Imre Nagy.
As his fu neral proceeded in Heroes Square a few weeks ago, the rising voice of
Hungary was heard reciting the "Szozat" [patriotic poem]. And in this simple,
somber ceremony, the world saw something more than a dignified act, an act of
reconciliation. We witnessed an act of truth. It is on this foundation of
truth, more solid than stone, that Hungarians have begun to build a new future.
A generation waited to honor Imre Nagy's courage; may a hundred generations
remember it.
While Hungary rediscovers its natural role in the affairs of Europe, the
world again looks to you for inspiration. A popular nonfiction book in my
country today is entitled = Budapest 1900." Dr. John Lukacs lovingly describes
the Budapest of memory, with its proud stock exchange and great opera, a time
when Europe's first electric subway ran underneath the handsome shops of
Andrassy Avenue. A city that rivaled Paris in its spendor, Vienna in its music,
London in its literature, a center of learning that enlightened the world and
gave America one kind of genius in Joseph Pulitzer, another in Bela Bartok. But
for four decades, this great city, this great nation, so central to the
continent in every respect, has been separated from Europe and the West.
And today Hungary is opening again to the West, becoming a beacon of light
in European culture. And I see people in motion - color, creativity,
experimentation. I see a new beginning for Hungary. The very atmosphere of
this city, the very atmosphere of Budapest, is electric and alive with
optimism.
Your people and your leaders -- government and opposition alike -- are not
afraid to break with the past, to act in the spirit of truth. And what better
example of this could there be than one simple fact: Karl Marx University has
dropped "Das Kapital" from its required reading list. Some historians argue
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25 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1084
that Marxism arise out of a humane impulse. But Karl Marx traced only one
thread of human existence and missed the rest of the tapestry the colorful
and varied tapestry of humanity. He regarded man as hapless, unable to shape
his environment or destiny. But man is not driven by impersonal economic
forces. He's not simply an object acted upon by mechanical laws of history.
Rather, man is imaginative and inventive. He is artistic, with an innate need
to create and enjoy beauty. He is a loving member of a family and a loyal
patriot to his people. Man is dynamic, determined to shape his own future.
The creative genius of the Hungarian people, long suppressed, is again
flourishing in your schools, your businesses, your churches. And this is more
than a fleeting season of freedom. It is Hungary returning to its normal,
traditional values. It is Hungary returning home. Voices long stilled are
being heard again. An independent daily newspaper is now sold on the streets.
Commercial radio and television stations will broadcast everything from the news
to the music of Stevie Wonder. And Radio Free Europe is opening its first
Eastern European Bureau right here in Budapest.
Along your border with Austria, the ugly symbol of Europe's division and
Hungary's isolation is coming down, as the barbed wire fences are rolled and
stacked into bales. For the first time, the Iron Curtain has begun to part.
And Hungary, your great country, is leading the way.
The Soviet Union has withdrawn troops, which I also take as a step in
overcoming Europe's division. And as those forces leave, let the Soviet leaders
know they have everything to gain and nothing to lose or fear from peaceful
change. We can - and I am determined that we will - work together to move
beyond containment, beyond the Cold War.
One of the key steps is moving beyond containment is easing the military
confrontation in Europe. To this end, the NATO[North Atlantic Treaty
Organization] allies joined, at the May summit meeting, in my proposal of a
comprehensive conventional arms control initiative, an initiative that would cut
the number of tanks, armored troop carriers, artillery, combat aircraft, attack
helicopters, as well as United States and Soviet troops stationed on foreign
soil in Europe --- all to lower, equal levels. The issues may be complex, but
we're working, day and night, to get a solid, historic agreement to strengthen
ability in Europe and reduce the risk of war. And we are determined to get it
soon.
No, there is no mistaking the fact that we are on the threshold of a new era.
And there's also no mistaking the fact that Hungary is at the threshold of
great and historic change. You're writing a real constitution, and you're
moving toward democratic, multiparty elections. And this is partly possible
because brave men and women have formed opposition parties. And this is
possible because Hungarian leaders are going to show the ultimate political
courage: the courage to submit to the choice of the people in free elections.
But to succeed in reform, you'll need partners partners to help promote
lasting change in Hungary. And I am here today to offer Hungary the
partnership of the United States of America. Three vital spheres stand out in
our partnerships: economics, the environment, and democratic and cultural
exchange.
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25 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1084
The United States believes in the acceleration of productive change, not in
its delay. So, this is our guiding principle: The United States will offer
assistance not to prop up the status quo but to propel reform.
Of course, the weight of the past still burdens Hungarian enterprise. There
are remnants of the Stalinist economy - huge, inefficient industrial plants and
a bewildering price system that is hard for anyone to understand, and the
massive subsidies that could economic decisions - all of this slows what you
could otherwise achieve. It's an economic Rubik's Cone that defies solution.
To make the transition to a productive economy will test your mettle as a
people. The prices of some commodities may rise. Some inefficient businesses
and factories will close. But the Hungarian Government is icreasingly leaving
the business of running the shops to the shopkeepers, the farms to the farmers.
And the creative drive of the people, once unleashed, will create momentum of
its own. And this will bring you a greater treasure than simply the riches you
create. It'll give each of you control over your own destiny -- a Hungarian
destiny. And as I said, the United States will be your partner in this
transformation to a successful economy.
Last Thursday at the White House, I invited leaders from business, education,
labor, and other fields to come to the White House and discuss the new private
sector opportunities opening up in Hungary. And their response was
enthusiastic. This was especially true of Hungarian-Americans, so proud to be
building a bridge between their new country and their motherland. As long as
our two governments ease the way, the people of America and Hungary can do the
rest - the people can do the rest.
And it is in this spirit that I want to announce the following measures.
First, as I said in Warsaw, I will propose at the Paris economic summit
concerted Western action, for Poland and Hungary, to back your reforms with
economic and technical assistance from the summit partners. Of course, our
efforts for Hungary will be targeted to your needs.
And second, I will ask the United States Congress to authorize a $25 million
fund as a source of new capital to invigorate the Hungarian private sector.
I'll also encourage parallel efforts from the other nations of the economic
summit.
And third, once your Parliament passes the new emigration legislation
proposed by your Council of Ministers, I will inform our Congress that Hungary
is in full compliance with the Jackson-Vanik amendments to our 1974 trade law.
No country has yet been released from the restrictions of this amendment. So, I
am pleased to tell you that Hungary will be the first. And this action will
give Hungary the most liberal access to the American market for the longest
terms possible under our laws.
Fourth, America is prepared to provide your country with access to our
Generalized System of Preferences, which offers selective tariff relief. Simply
put, these last two measures will allow you to take advantage of the largest
single market in the entire world.
And fifth, we've concluded a draft agreement to authorize the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation OPIC we call it - to operate in Hungary.
And once our Senate passes the enabling legislation, OPIC will be able to
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25 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1084
provide insurance to encourage American investment in private enterprises in
Hungary. Through OPIC, American business executives will see firsthand the
great opportunity of Hungary. Private investment is critical for Hungary.
It means jobs, innovation, progress. But most of all, private investment means
a brighter future for your children, a brighter future for Hungary.
And yet economic progress cannot be at the expense of the air we breathe and
the water we drink. Six weeks ago, in Mainz, I proposed cooperation between
East and West on environmental issues. And that is why I will ask the United
States Congress to appropriate $5 million to establish an International
Environmental Center for central and eastern Europe, to be based right here in
Budapest, which will bring together private and government experts and
organizations to address the ecological crisis. After all, our shared heritage
15 the Earth. And the fate of the Earth transcends borders; it isn't just an
East-West issue. Hungary has led eastern and central Europe in addressing the
concerns of your citizens for cleaner air and water. And now you can do even
more, working with the West to build a bridge of technical and scientific
cooperation.
Along these lines, I am also pleased to announce that the United States has
proposed an agreement between our two countries to establish scientific and
technical cooperation in the basic sciences and in specific areas, including the
environment, medicine, and nuclear safety.
It is my hope that this visit will also lead to a wider exchange between East
and West 50 our scientists, our artists, and our environmentalists can learn
from one another; 50 that our soliders and statesmen can discuss peace; and our
students -- God bless them -- can discuss the future.
But to discuss anything requires a common language. The teaching of the
English language is one of the most popular American exports. And as students,
you know that English is the lingua franca of world business, the key to
clinching deals from Hong Kong to Toronto. So, to open the global market to
more Hungarians, I am pleased to announce that the Peace Corps will, for the
first time, operate in a European country. And our Peace Corps instructors will
come to Budapest and all 19 countries to teach English.
And in such exchanges, we want to help you in your quest for a new beginning
as a democratic Hungary. So, the United States is also committing more than
$6 million to cultural and educational opportunities in eastern Europe. We will
make available funds for a series of major new U.S. -Hungarian exchange programs
-- among Congressmen and legislative experts; among labor business leaders;
among legal experts; among community leaders, educators, and young people. We
are creating dozens of fellowships to enable Hungarians to study at American
universities. And we will find endowed chairs in American studis at your
universities, and books - many thousands of them -- to fill the shelves of your
new International Management Center and the libraries of schools and
universities across Hungary.
And the United States will also open, within the next several years, an
American House in the center of Budapest. Today the celebrated American
architect Robert Stern is releasing his design for this center, which will be an
open house of books, magazines, and video cassettes -- an open house of ideas.
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25 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1084
And 50, in conclusion, in economic reform and democratic change, in cultural
and environmental cooperation, there are great opportunities and great
challenges. Hungary has a lot of work ahead, and so do the United States and
Hungary, working together to build this better future dynamic future.
Your challenge is enormous and historic: to build a structure of political
change and decentralized economic enterprise on the ruins of a failed Stalinist
system. And given the opportunity to show your characteristic initiative,
creativity, and resourcefulness, I believe that the Hungarian people will meet
the challenge. You stand on the threshold of a new era of economic development
and, yes, political change.
And I believe with all my heart that you are ready to meet the future. I see
a country well on the way. I see a country rich in human resources - rich in
the moral courage of its people. I see a nation transcending its past and
reaching out to its destiny. I congratulate you for having come 50 far.
And let us be equal to the opportunity that lies before us. Let us have
history write of us that we were the generation that made Europe whole and free.
Thank you all. God bless each and every one of you. Thank you very much.
Note: The President spoke at 1:35 p.m. in Aula Hall at the university. In
his remarks, he referred to Bruno Straub, President of Hungary's Presidential
Council; Prime Minister Miklos Nemeth; Csaba Csaki, rector of the university;
and Imre Nagy, former Hungarian Prime Minister and leader of the 1956 uprising
against Soviet domination of Hungary. Prior to his remarks, the President
participated in a discussion with students at the Old Prison on Castle Hill.
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SEND TO: MARTIN, CHRISTINA
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OLD EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
17TH & PENNSYLVANIA AVE., NW
WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 20017
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