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OMRI Daily Digest - 12 May 1995 (mind) |
38 sor |
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Newsletter (maj.4) (mind) |
305 sor |
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3. |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Newsletter (maj.5) (mind) |
222 sor |
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Newsletter (maj.8) (mind) |
555 sor |
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Newsletter (maj.9) (mind) |
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+ - | OMRI Daily Digest - 12 May 1995 (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó: (cikkei)
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OMRI DAILY DIGEST
No. 92, 12 May 1995
HUNGARY TO RATIFY TREATY WITH SLOVAKIA SOON. A Hungarian government
official on 11 May said that the parliament will soon ratify the basic
treaty with Slovakia, Hungarian and international media reported. The
treaty was signed in April by the countries' prime ministers. According
to the official, the vote is likely to take place on 22 or 23 May. Also
on 11 May, the Hungarian government made public a letter from Hungarian
Prime Minister Gyula Horn to Slovak President Michal Kovac saying "the
Hungarian side aims to execute the treaty as soon as possible." Although
some political groups in the Hungarian parliament are opposed to the
treaty, unofficial reports indicate it is likely to be ratified. There
is also opposition to the treaty in the Slovak parliament, and disputes
over it have caused strains within Slovakia's ruling coalition. Both
governments have been informed that ratification of the treaty is
crucial for their joining the European Union and NATO. -- Jiri Pehe,
OMRI, Inc.
[As of 1200 CET]
Compiled by Jan Cleave
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A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*][*] [*][*][*]
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[*][*][*] [*][*][*] [*][*] [*][*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
Reposting is supported by Hungarian Human Rights Foundation News
and Information Service.
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|
+ - | Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Newsletter (maj.4) (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó: (cikkei)
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***********************************************************
Sajnos a Kulugyminiszterium a hirkozlemenyeket nem naponta,
hanem nagyobb idokozonkent, nagyobb mennyisegbe tovabbitja.
Igy elnezest kerek a rendszertelen es az oriasi terje-
delmu tovabbterjesztesert, ami valojaban nem az en hibam.
Buchwald Amy
***********************************************************
N E W S L E T T E R
from the Daily Bulletin of the Hungarian News Agency MTI
distributed by the Department for Press and International Information
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Hungary
H-1394, Budapest P.O.B. 423.
Telephone: 36 (1) 156-8000
Telefax: 36 (1) 156-3801
No. 87/1995 04 May
1995
Horn in Ljubljana
Ljubljana, May 3 (MTI) - Hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Horn arrived in
Ljubljana this morning to pay there a one-day official visit at the invitation
of
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek.
In the entourage of Horn is Karoly Lotz, minister of transport,
telecommunications and water management, who will sign a protocol with his
Slovenian counterpart on the coordinated principles of combined freight
transport between the two countries.
In the morning Horn will hold talks with Drnovsek and later he will mee
t
Jozef Skolc, President of Slovenia's National Assembly, as well as President
Milan Kucan and Foreign Minister Zoran Thaler. After these meetings, the two
prime ministers will hold a press conference.
In the afternoon, Horn will meet the representatives of Hungarians livi
ng
in Slovenia and visit Mayor of Ljubljana Dimitrij Rupelj in his office.
Horn will depart from Ljubljana after 6 p.m.
Premier Horn on Yugoslav Armed Conflict
Ljubljana, May 3 (MTI) - "It is apparent that this crisis can and must
be
settled only by political diplomatic means," said Hungarian Prime Minister
Gyula Horn at an international press conference today when he summed up
the results of his one day visit to Slovenia.
He recalled that the Hungarian government had in recent months
seriously dealt with an expected Croatian-Serbian conflict, and took a number
of initiatives to this effect. "We do believe that is indispensable to take
some
steps", said Horn.
"The community of nations, the European Union, the United Nations, the
United States must make sure that this (Croat-Serb) war does not escalate,
and the current armed conflict does not spread on. This is a key issue" - Horn
said.
"We have contacted France which holds the chair of the European
Union, and we are seeking further contacts and we wish to hold negotiations, if
need be, with the Russian leadership as well, since it matters what the
position
of the Russian government is. We must prevent a situation like the one
prevailing in Bosnia from developing. An armed conflict between Croatia and
Serbia would be much more tragic. This affects the neighbours including us
particularly sensitively.
The community of nations and the governments of all states share a
tremendous responsibility in preventing the armed conflict from spreading on
the one hand, and the Croatian and Serbian governments ought to display
maximum moderation to ensure that the war does not escalate, on the other.
We are ready to mediate as current chairmen of the OSCE, and we
wish to bring about international cooperation with the other international
organizations and other countries," said Horn.
Horn and Drnovsek Give News Conference
Ljubjlana, May 3 (MTI) - The Hungarian-Slovenian prime ministerial
talks focussed on bilateral economic relations, Hungarian Prime Minister Gyula
Horn told a news conference he gave together with his Slovenian counterpart
Janez Drnovsek in Ljubljana today.
The two sides exchanged views on the establishment of a direct rail lin
k,
the modernization of roads connecting the two countries, the construction of a
new road, the reconstruction of border stations and the possible establishment
of new border-crossing points.
As for the rail link, the ministries concerned will establish concrete
forms
of cooperation in six months, Horn said.
In a move to develop agro-industrial cooperation, Hungary proposed
supplying maize and sunflower to Slovenia in exchange for small farm
machinery.
Hungarian entrepreneurs wish to be involved in the reconstruction of
railways and the construction of a motorway in Slovenia, the prime minister
said.
Major progress has been made towards an agreement on the
rehabilitation of the Drava river, Horn said.
Drnovsek said that there were no unsettled political issues between the
two countries. He assessed Horn's visit, the first one by a Hungarian prime
minister since Slovakia gained independence in 1991, as a sign of the
continuation of good relations.
The Slovenian prime minister said that the conflict between Croatia and
the Serbian krajina did not pose a threat to either Hungary or Slovenia.
However, both countries have a vested interest in preventing the
escalation of the conflict. All international factors should take action to
this
effect, Drnovsek said.
Kovacs Proposes Convening OSCE Permanent Council
Budapest, May 3 (MTI) - Hungarian Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs,
Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE), follows with anxiety the flare-up of hostilities on the territory of
the
Republic of Croatia.
These developments pose a serious threat to the stability and security
of the Yugoslav region and the continuation of international efforts aimed at
finding a comprehensive political solution to the crisis, Kovacs told MTI
tonight.
For this reason, the chairman-in-office has asked the OSCE Permanent
Council to meet in session with no delay, discuss the situation and make
recommendations for the OSCE institutions to promote a peaceful settlement
as soon as possible, in compliance with the principles of the OSCE.
Hungarian FM Has Talks with Peter Corterier
Budapest, May 3 (MTI) - Hungarian Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs and
Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Assembly Peter Corterier discussed
the preparations for the spring session of the Assembly, which will be held in
Budapest from May 26 to 29.
The secretary-general said he was pleased that the assembly was
holding this session, one of the main themes of which will be the expansion of
NATO, for the first time in a non-member country, foreign affairs spokesman
Gabor Szentivanyi told MTI.
The politicians discussed issues related to trans-Atlantic relations an
d to
the expansion of NATO.
Kovacs outlined to Corterier Hungary's foreign policy priorities,
especially with regard to its intention to join NATO and the concrete steps it
has taken so far in this respect. Kovacs underlined Hungary's desire to be
among the first states to join NATO. He informed the secretary-general of
Hungary's policy towards Russia and of the development of relations with
neighbouring countries.
Corterier Meets Hungarian MPs
Budapest, May 3 (MTI) - Peter Corterier, General Secretary of the North
Atlantic Assembly, met members of the Hungarian parliamentary delegation
taking part in the work of the North Atlantic Assembly, on the first day of his
two-day visit to Budapest today.
Jeno Racskay, representing the Alliance of Free Democrats, head of
the Hungarian six-party delegation to "NATO's Parliament" told MTI after the
60-minute meeting, that the talks mainly centred on preparations for the
general assembly, which is expected to deal with the expansion of the
Alliance. This general assembly is due to be held in Budapest in late May.
In connection with the expansion of NATO, Corterier told the Hungarian
legislators that senior NATO officials in Brussels believed there was a
possibility of admitting new members sometime after the Russian presidential
elections in 1996.
He said he thought that those expected to be admitted in the first grou
p
will be elected before the turn of the century.
Jeno Racskay said that Hungary must do its very best to be in the first
group.
The purpose of the Budapest session of the North Atlantic Assembly is
also to allow prominent international politicians to see for themselves what
measures Hungary is taking to transform its army and guarantee civilian
control over its armed forces.
Racskay believes that Hungary has a good chance of being admitted to
NATO in the first group. He went on to say that other states should be made
aware that Hungary's NATO membership is not directed against anybody.
Corterier said that a forthcoming summit meeting between President
Clinton and President Yeltsin could influence Russia's position.
On Thursday Corterier will be received by Zoltan Gal, speaker of the
Hungarian Parliament.
Hungarian-Dutch Economic Talks
Budapest, May 3 (MTI) - Minister of Industry and Trade Laszlo Pal and
the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Hans Wijers today completed talks here
on ways of developing economic cooperation.
They told reporters at a press briefing later that trade links and Dutc
h
investment in Hungary were developing dynamically.
Dutch companies have, to date, invested USD 600 million in Hungary,
and the value of investment could reach USD 300 million this year.
At present there are some 400 companies with Dutch participation
active in Hungary.
Pal said that the hoped for Dutch investment of USD 300 million in
Hungary this year could only become a reality if the economic conditions and
legislation made Hungary attractive to Dutch investors.
Wijers concluded by saying that the Dutch government supported the
Hungarian regional industrial development programme.
Hungarian-Polish Parliamentary Talks
Budapest, May 3 (MTI) - A delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee
of the Sejm led by Chairman Bronislaw Geremek arrived in Budapest on
Wednesday and met members of the Hungarian Parliament's Foreign Affairs
Committee.
The talks focussed on European integration, stability in East Central
Europe and the prospects of cooperation within the Visegrad group
(composed of Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia).
Chairman Matyas Eorsi of the Hungarian committee said the two
delegations held identical identical views on all topics.
They agreed that it would make sense expanding Visegrad cooperation
from the economic to the political field.
The two sides stressed that more efficient steps could be taken to ease
the consequences of the Schengen agreement if the countries concerned
coordinated their strategy and tactics.
Eorsi holds it conceivable that in the latter topic only Warsaw and
Budapest should take common action.
As for the crucial issues, such as the EU review conference to start in
1996, the two countries" cooperation would be insufficient, Eorsi said.
Ex-Foreign Ministers on NATO Expansion
Washington, May 3 (MTI) - Only NATO can guarantee security and
stability for the countries of Central Europe, which are struggling to build
their
market economies, said Geza Jeszenszky, former Hungarian foreign minister
and member of parliament for the opposition Hungarian Democratic Forum, at
a forum organized by the American Heritage Foundation on Tuesday. The
American political and economic research foundation also invited two other
former Central European foreign ministers: Andrzej Olechowski from Poland
and Eduard Kukan from Slovakia.
In Jeszenszky's view, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization would
serve Russia's interests best of all by bringing lasting stability to its
neighbourhood, instead of continuously referring to Moscow's sensitivity with
regard to expansion.
The three ex-foreign ministers agreed that their countries were not
directly threatened by Russia, nevertheless they believe it important - in the
light of statements by Moscow on Russia's interests in nearby countries and
the protection of Russian minorities - to be cautious and prepare for problems
that might occur in the future.
The settling of minority issues is a significant factor for the securit
y of
the region, the politicians pointed out. Jeszenszky agreed with his former
Slovak counterpart that the Hungarian-Slovak basic treaty was a good thing,
but added that its complete implementation was essential to lay the foundation
for stable good-neighbourly relations.
Bank President on Stabilization Measures
Budapest, May 3 (MTI) - Economic growth can be sustained this year
owing to the government's stabilization measures, since credits needed to
finance public finance will decrease, and so sufficient resources will be
available to subsidize viable enterprises.
Hungary's GDP can increase by one or two per cent in 1995. Exports
could be the driving force behind growth, but enterprises interested in making
up for imports could also play a major role, Gyorgy Suranyi, president of the
National Bank of Hungary told an extended meeting of the presidium of the
Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry today.
Suranyi said exports had further increased in the first four months of
this
year, and today they top the still high increase of imports. Thus there is
every
hope that exports increase by 15 to 20 per cent by the end of the year, while
changes in imports do not exceed 5 per cent.
Due to the stabilization measures effected by the administration, the
business sector could have nearly as many credits from domestic resources in
1995 as in 1994. The net sum of loans drawn by the business sector could
total about HUF 350 billion. Without the stabilization measures the respective
sum ought not to have exceeded HUF 200 billion by a large margin.
Companies are expected to continue to draw considerable sums of
loans from abroad, totalling USD 1 billion.
Goncz Arrives in London
London, May 3 (MTI) - Hungarian President Arpad Goncz arrived in
London tonight.
Paying his first visit to Britain, Goncz will take over an honorary dip
loma
of law conferred on him by Oxford University on Thursday. In the weekend, he
will join 58 heads of state and government to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
On Sunday evening Goncz is scheduled to leave for Paris and then for
Moscow. The president will attend commemorations in both capitals.
*****************************************************************
A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*][*] [*][*][*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
[*][*][*] [*][*][*] [*][*] [*][*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
Reposting is supported by Hungarian Human Rights Foundation News
and Information Service.
*****************************************************************
|
+ - | Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Newsletter (maj.5) (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó: (cikkei)
|
N E W S L E T T E R
from the Daily Bulletin of the Hungarian News Agency MTI
distributed by the Department for Press and International Information
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Hungary
H-1394, Budapest P.O.B. 423.
Telephone: 36 (1) 156-8000
Telefax: 36 (1) 156-3801
No. 88/1995 05 May
1995
Corterier Calls on Speaker Gal
Budapest, May 4 (MTI) - Peter Corterier, General Secretary of the
North Atlantic Assembly, today held talks with Zoltan Gal, Speaker of the
Hungarian Parliament on preparations for a general meeting to be held in
Budapest in late May. Corterier has held talks in the Hungarian capital since
Wednesday.
Speaker Gal said that given the fact that the Assembly would hold a
session for the first time outside NATO's borders, and in a region which has
a vested interest in the expansion of NATO, it would perhaps be good to
accept some kind of document, as the countries in the region would like to
see clearly the terms of accession and planned deadlines, Gal told MTI.
Gal also said that according to Corterier there is no possibility to
accept a document at the upcoming conference preparing the autumn
session.
Corterier said that speeches to be made by senior politicians at the
general meeting would formulate clear-cut messages about the expansion
of NATO.
Gal assured Corterier that as regards Hungary's accession to NATO
there is a consensus among the parliamentary parties, and preparations are
under way for achieving a full membership.
Corterier said he was satisfied with preparations made in Budapest
and the Assembly willingly complied with the Hungarian invitation and would
hold their general meeting in Budapest for the first time outside NATO's
borders. Hungary was the state to establish relations with the North Atlantic
Assembly from the region at the earliest date.
Corterier Holds Press Briefing
Budapest, May 4 (MTI) - A planned expansion of NATO will be the
key topic at the spring session of the North Atlantic Assembly, due to be
held in Budapest from May 26 to 29, Peter Corterier, General Secretary of
the Assembly, told reporters in Parliament today.
Asked when Hungary as well as the other associate East European
states could be admitted as full members of the Assembly, he said there
were countries including Hungary that were already in such a close contact
with NATO that there were practically no differences between the permanent
and associate members.
He added that the principal decision-making body of the Assembly,
the Standing Committee, discussed this issue last year, but the majority of
the delegates then thought that - although the Assembly is the
"parliamentary arm" and not part of NATO - its relationship should not be
risked with the North Atlantic organization by admitting new members. He
quoted the secretary general as saying that it would not be fortunate to have
more permanent members in the Assembly than in NATO.
Corterier said he hoped that Hungary would become part of a group
of states with whom NATO could open talks on ways of admission sometime
next year. He recalled the resolution passed by the Assembly in Washington
last November, opting clearly for the earliest possible admission of the
Central European countries to NATO.
The fact that the Assembly is meeting for the first time outside the
borders of NATO, and it picked Budapest, is clear admission of the fact that
mutually good contacts have developed between Hungary and the
Assembly in the course of past few years. He said members of the
Assembly also think it is important to find out more about Hungary.
Prime Minister Gyula Horn, Karsten Voigt, chairman of the Assembly,
Richard Holbrooke, deputy US State Secretary, and Volker Ruhe, the
German defence minister will attend the plenary session in late May. The
latter three politicians are dedicated advocates of expanding NATO to the
east, Corterier said.
Delegates in Budapest will not accept any document, but will instead
put forward presentations for acceptance by the autumn session of the
Assembly.
Szent-Ivanyi Confers with Geremek
Budapest, May 4 (MTI) - Foreign Affairs State Secretary Istvan Szent-
Ivanyi and Bronislaw Geremek, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of
the Polish Sejm, had talks on Hungarian-Polish relations, the two countries'
accession to NATO and the future of cooperation among the countries of the
Visegrad group here today.
Szent-Ivanyi later told MTI they had agreed to intensify contacts
between the two countries both at parliamentary and governmental levels.
The two sides will also press for the expansion of cooperation
between the Visegrad group of countries to more areas.
The idea is not to establish bureaucratic organizations, but the
negotiating sides consider it important to regularly compare notes on
questions of mutual interest - accession to NATO and the European Union.
As regards accession to NATO, they said it was important that
unnecessary rivalry develop between the two countries.
The Polish delegation also met Maria Korodi and the Hungarian
national group of the Interparliamentary Union.
Hungarian Speaker Meets Poles
Budapest, May 4 (MTI) - Zoltan Gal, Speaker of Parliament, today
received a delegation from the Polish Sejm's foreign affairs committee,
headed by chairman Bronislaw Geremek here today.
To help find a settlement of the Yugoslav crisis, Geremek mentioned
a possible Central European parliamentary conference involving
parliamentary speakers of countries from the former Yugoslavia, to help
these countries recognize one another.
Gal said Hungary wanted a solution to the dangerously close
Yugoslav crisis, and was ready to take part in such a conference.
Gal and Geremek agreed to press for cooperation between
parliamentary committees to help build links between Hungarian and the
Polish parliaments.
Geremek said his team highly appreciated the signing of the
Hungarian-Slovak basic treaty, and considers it important that a Hungarian-
Romanian basic treaty is signed as soon as possible.
Briefing by Government Spokesman
Budapest, May 4 (MTI) - Erwin Teufel, Minister-President of Baden-
Wurttemberg, comes to Hungary on Friday at the invitation of Prime Minister
Gyula Horn. It adds to the importance of the visit that Hungary expects major
loans from this German state, Government Spokesman Elemer Csak told
reporters on Thursday.
He said that next Monday Istvan Nikolits, minister in charge of civilia
n
secret services, would tell Parliament the conclusions of a survey on the
legality of secret service actions.
The cabinet discussed proposed amendments to the compensation
law and asked Parliament to urgently discuss them, Csak said.
Accordingly, 80 per cent of state-owned land listed for compensation
should be auctioned among the inhabitants of the locality and former plot-
owners in the area of the locality. Laws in effect stipulate 50 per cent of
land
should be sold this way.
To prevent speculation, the government seeks to narrow the scope of
those entitled to buy land at auctions on behalf of the compensated. If the
amendments clear Parliament, a government decree will limit bidders to
authorized lawyers and family members.
The cabinet has set up a National Council for Crime Prevention to
analyze and assess the effects of social and economic trends on crime, and
initiate preventative measures.
The council will be composed of delegates from some ministries, the
Police, the Border Guard, the National Customs and Excise Office, and
punitive authorities. The council will enable the organizations in charge of
crime prevention to become familiar with one another's programmes, and
coordinate their efforts.
The president of the council will be appointed by the prime minister,
on the interior minister's recommendation.
Oxford Honorary Degree for Hungarian President
Oxford, May 4 (MTI) - "I cannot boast of great scientific achievements:
I only do my job, protecting and strengthening the country's constitutional
order and balance to my best ability," Arpad Goncz said in Oxford on
Thursday.
The president of Hungary, who received an honorary degree from the
famous British university, said recognition is also due to the Hungarian
people which has found its way back to the European road of democracy
and constitutional statehood at the cost of tremendous efforts after a forced
detour of several decades. The integration of Eastern and Central Europe
with the structure of the entire continent now represents the same necessity
as that of Scandinavia or the once semiperipheral Mediterranean region, he
said.
Goncz, who arrived in London on Wednesday, returned to the British
capital after the Oxford ceremony on Thursday evening to attend the
weekend celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the WW2 victory of
the allied forces in Europe.
On Sunday evening, the Hungarian president will travel to Paris and
then to Moscow to participate in anniversary programmes.
Hungarian-Ukrainian Agreement on Border Affairs
Budapest, May 4 (MTI) - Hungary and Ukraine signed an agreement
on order along their common boundary, and cooperation and mutual
assistance in border affairs in Siofok on Wednesday.
The event took place after the 3rd international conference of frontier
authorities. The agreement was initialled by Maj.-Gen. Balazs Novaky,
National Commander of the Hungarian Border Guard, and Col.-Gen. Viktor
Bannikh, President of the Ukrainian State Commission for Frontier Defence.
Also present was Dmyitro Tkach, Ukrainian Ambassador to Hungary,
Attila Krisan, Spokesman of the National Border Guard, told MTI.
The agreement exactly demarcates the border between the two
countries, specifies the rights and obligations of chief commissioners and
commissioners in charge of border affairs, rules on the use of rivers,
railways, roads and other facilities along the border, and regulates business
activity in the border region.
Danube Bridge at Esztergom to be Reconstructed
Budapest, May 4 (MTI) - Daniel Tarschys, Secretary-General of the
Council of Europe, supports the call by the Society of the Friends of
Esztergom for the rebuilding of the Maria Valeria bridge, which had
connected the town with Sturovo, Slovakia, before it was blown up in late
1944. Tarschys is prepared to become the chief patron of the project, the
secretary-general's office has informed Daniel L. Pecsi, Curator of the World
Federation of Hungarians.
Holding a session in Esztergom today, the Society announced, "it
seems certain a decision on reconstruction will be made by September 28,
the centenary of the inauguration of the first bridge here".
Maria Valeria bridge was first blown up in 1919 but rebuilt later. In l
ate
1944 retreating German troops destroyed it again.
Although the inhabitants of the region have for long been pressing for
its reconstruction, the bridge is still in ruins.
Maria Valeria is the only Danube bridge which has not yet been
reconstructed since the Second World War.
*****************************************************************
A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*][*] [*][*][*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
[*][*][*] [*][*][*] [*][*] [*][*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
Reposting is supported by Hungarian Human Rights Foundation News
and Information Service.
*****************************************************************
|
+ - | Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Newsletter (maj.8) (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó: (cikkei)
|
N E W S L E T T E R
>From the Daily Bulletin of the Hungarian News Agency MTI
distributed by the Department for Press and International Information
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Hungary
H-1394, Budapest P.O.B. 423.
Telephone: 36 (1) 156-8000
Telefax: 36 (1) 156-3801
No. 89/1995 08 May 1995
Prime Minister of Baden-Wurttemberg in Budapest Talks
Budapest, May 5 (MTI) - Erwin Teufel, prime minister of the German=
federal state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is holding talks here at the invi=
tation of
Prime Minister Gyula Horn.
Teufel arrived here today and met his host and Speaker of Parliame=
nt
Zolt=E1n G=E1l.
Teufel and Horn discussed a credit package promoting the
development of economic relations between Hungary and his province.
Teufel said he thoroughly supported the loans, government
spokesman Elem=E9r Cs=E1k told MTI.
The one billion German mark loan would be jointly extended by
Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, and the German federal government to
streamline registration of property in Hungary, domestic energy savin=
g
projects, and links between small and medium-size companies.
The two prime ministers agreed to resume talks at expert level,=
hoping that the loan could be arranged before the summer.
DM 500 Million Loan for Hungary
Budapest, May 5 (MTI) - "Talks between the governments and
bankers of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria and Hungary on the terms for a =
DM
500 million loan are expected to end by the summer," Erwin Teufel, Mi=
nister-
President of Baden Wurttemberg, told the press after meeting Hungaria=
n
Industry and Trade Ministry Deputy State Secretary Imre Dunai in Buda=
pest
on Friday.
He said the DM 250 million loan to be granted by both Bavaria and=
Baden-Wurttemberg at a preferential rate of interest and with a bank=
guarantee is primarily intended to help small and medium-sized enterp=
rises.
Dunai said the Hungarian side of the talks strives to achieve not =
only
joint ventures but other companies also sharing in the loan, and that=
the size
of the available sum not be limited, for instance according to the si=
ze of the
capital stock.
At a meeting with Finance Minister Lajos Bokros on Friday afternoo=
n,
Teufel sought information on opportunities for introducing the housin=
g loan
scheme in Hungary, based on preliminary savings and widely used in=
Baden-Wurttemberg.
The Schwabisch Hall Savings Bank in charge of this programme
plans to open an office in Hungary shortly, with similar ones already=
successfully working in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
In the evening, Transport Minister K=E1roly Lotz hosted a dinner f=
or the
guests from Baden-Wurttemberg as the last programme of Teufel's one-d=
ay
visit to Budapest.
Hungarian Nobel Award Winners - Budapest Gala
Budapest, May 5 (MTI) - Hungarian-born Nobel Prize winners J=E1nos=
Hars=E1nyi and Gy=F6rgy Ol=E1h attended a session at the Chamber of T=
echnical
and Scientific Associations today.
J=E1nos Hars=E1nyi (John C. Hars=E1nyi), born in 1920, attended th=
e
Lutheran Grammar School in Budapest. He left Hungary illegally and we=
nt to
Australia. Initially he worked as a factory worker, but as he had no =
manual
skills, he took up sociology and economics.
From 1964 to 1990, the year of his retirement he was professor at=
Berkeley University. In 1994 he received the Nobel Prize in economics=
for
his pioneering analyses in the theory of games.
Gy=F6rgy Ol=E1h (George Ol=E1h), born in 1927 - who went to the Pi=
arists
Grammar School in Budapest - said he was proud to have been brought u=
p
in Hungary where he began his career as chemist.
He had a job at the Budapest based Plastic Industry Research
Institute. He worked as director of the Hydrocarbon Research Institut=
e in the
University of southern California.
In his words the future of modern science hinges on whether it can=
work out theories and methods to continue its operation by preserving=
a
balance between industry and nature. Ol=E1h last year won the Nobel P=
rize in
chemistry for his achievements in the field of studying positively ch=
arged
hydrocarbons.
Horn Gives Gala Dinner for Nobel Laureates
Budapest, May 5 (MTI) - Prime Minister Gyula Horn gave a gala
dinner in honour of the two Hungarian-born, U.S. resident Nobel Prize=
winning professors, George Ol=E1h and J=E1nos Hars=E1nyi today.
The prime minister presented the two laureates a compilation of=
photos of "the Hungarian class of the world university of science".
The photos show all the Hungarian-born Nobel prize winners.
In a welcoming speech Horn said it gives special joy to the Republ=
ic
of Hungary to see that the life works of these professors were honour=
ed at
such a high level, since Hungarian culture and science also contribut=
ed to
their accomplishments.
OSCE Troika Urges End to Croatia Fighting
Budapest, May 5 (MTI) - Hungarian Foreign Minister L=E1szl=F3 Kov=
=E1cs,
Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation i=
n
Europe (OSCE), and the members of the OSCE Troika, foreign ministers=
Susanne Agnelli of Italy and Flavio Cotti of Switzerland, issued the =
following
statement on Friday:
The OSCE follows with deep concern the fighting that has recently=
resumed in Croatia. The danger of escalation of the new, violent phas=
e of
the war and the armed conflict seems to be increasing.
We unambiguously condemn the violation of the March 29, 1994
cease-fire agreement, the bombings carried out against the civilian=
population with a premeditated intention and retaliatory nature, and =
the
holding of U.N. personnel as hostages.
We call on the warring parties to show self-restraint and immediat=
ely
end all forms of hostility.
The OSCE confirms its commitment to a negotiated solution, which=
maintains the sovereignty of Croatia throughout the country's entire =
territory,
within its internationally recognized borders.
We are convinced that political aims in line with the norms of the=
OSCE and international law can only be attained by peaceful means, wi=
th
full observance of human and minority rights and the unconditional=
enforcement of OSCE principles, with special regard to respect for th=
e
territorial integrity of states and refusal of the principle of acqui=
ring
territories
by force.
For this reason, we urge the opposing parties to resume talks with=
out
delay, under the supervision of the international community, in order=
to
achieve a political solution and prevent the conflict from escalating=
further,
the result of which may have tragic consequences.
We especially call on the opposing parties to consolidate the exis=
ting
cease-fire and refrain from any move that may lead to continued hosti=
lities.
The OSCE assures international efforts at creating peace in the=
region of its continued and firm support.
We wish to hold active consultations to discover what ways the OSC=
E
could contribute with its experiences and means to the above efforts =
aimed
at easing tensions, restoring confidence and settling the conflict in=
a lasting
and peaceful manner, reads the statement of the OSCE Troika.
Zagreb Seeks Peace, Croatian Ambassador Says
Budapest, May 5 (MTI) - Aleksandar Solc, Croatian Ambassador to=
Hungary, visited the Foreign Ministry yesterday to give information o=
n recent
developments and expected events in Croatia. "It was not a special vi=
sit:
Croatian ambassadors worldwide did the same," Solc said in an intervi=
ew
with today's "N=E9pszabads=E1g".
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What developments do you expect in Croatia?
A: It does not only depend on the Croats what will happen. If the=
Serbs launch further attacks on Zagreb or other Croatian cities, we w=
ill be
forced to contain them.
Q: Can there be a peaceful settlement?
A: This is our aim but the other side seems to ignore our efforts.
Q: Is there any chance for talks on a ceasefire as proposed by the=
Serbs?
A: We have no information when these talks will take place, if at =
all.
We have to wait for a few days to establish whether the Serbs have st=
opped
attacking civilian targets and carrying out retaliations against the
population.
Q: What is your opinion on Belgrade's position?
A: It has not yet crystallized. The Serbs in Croatia and Bosnia wo=
uld
be unable to maintain their states without Yugoslav assistance. The m=
issiles
fired on Zagreb were not made by them either. If they lacked support =
=66rom
Belgrade, they would be unable to launch such acts. The Yugoslav
leadership could prove that it has distanced itself from Serbs in Bos=
nia and
Croatia if it accepted the internationally recognized borders of Bosn=
ia and
Croatia.
Q: Could the occupied Croat territories be reintegrated?
A: These will be a chance of peaceful reintegration if the Serbs i=
n
Croatia realized that Croatian law grants them more rights than usual=
and
they did not want to enforce their ideas by use of arms. The living c=
onditions
we could create in Western Slavonia would certainly convince them tha=
t,
contrary to Serb propaganda, they can conduct a normal way of life th=
ere. If
they still opt for the use of force, only a military solution is conc=
eivable.
G=F6ncz Discusses EU Accession in London
London, May 5 (MTI) - "Hungary would like to greet the turn of the=
century as a full member of the European Union," said President =C1rp=
=E1d
G=F6ncz in London, confirming the official Hungarian position.
G=F6ncz, attending memorial celebrations on the WW2 victory of the=
Allied Forces in Europe, held a brief discussion with David Davies, s=
tate
minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of EU matters, on Friday eveni=
ng.
Davies voiced the official British view that the Union's expansion=
will
strengthen the general security situation of the continent, and at th=
e same
time promote the development of the European national economies.
Budget Deficit in Late April: HUF 147 bn
Budapest, May 5 (MTI) - The central budget deficit in late April t=
otalled
HUF 147.1 billion, with HUF 405.6 billion in revenue and HUF 552.7 bi=
llion in
expenditure.
The impact of stabilization measures is already showing in the way=
the budget has developed, with negative trends being contained in Apr=
il, so
the deficit only rose by HUF 779 million in April as against the much=
faster
growth of earlier months, Csaba L=E1szl=F3, deputy state secretary at=
the
Finance Ministry, announced today.
He said most of the privatization revenues were expected toward th=
e
end of the year, and in April the budget had no cash from privatizati=
on. The
Finance Ministry continues to forecast HUF 150 billion in revenues fr=
om
privatization for this year.
National Bank of Hungary - Press Briefing
Budapest, May 5 (MTI) - According to preliminary figures released =
by
the National Bank of Hungary, exports have grown at an increasing rat=
e in
the first quarter of this year, but imports continue to be high. Incr=
eases in
exports are expected to range from 15 to 20 per cent, and imports aro=
und 5
to 8 per cent this year.
The rate of inflation is expected to drop from the second half of =
this
year, and consumer prices are expected to increase by less than 25 pe=
r
cent in December against last December.
This is partly due to the fact that the monthly devaluation of the=
Hungarian currency in the second six months of the year will be at 1.=
3 per
cent as against 1.9 per cent, Gy=F6rgy Sur=E1nyi, president of the Na=
tional Bank
told reporters here today.
He said consensus in Hungary is on the need for a long term, lasti=
ng,
and high growth rate to enhance living standards, and the dispute is=
primarily about what methods to follow.
The National Bank and the government say the present serious
imbalance would sooner or later slow the development of the economy, =
so it
is vital to substantially curb the public sector deficit, and give th=
e private
sector more access to capital.
In line with government stabilization, the National Bank will also=
modify its monetary policy guidelines to curb inflation. By introduci=
ng the peg
system of devaluation, the National Bank has committed itself to pres=
erving
a stable rate of exchange.
Sur=E1nyi said the National Bank envisages a one or two per cent=
increase in GDP this year. Companies can have nearly as much access t=
o
loans this year from domestic funds as next year.
Foreign firms in Hungary needed HUF 900 million credit in 1994.
This year this type of credit could exceed USD 1.5 billion.
Keleti Sees No Danger
Budapest, May 6 (MTI) - Hungary's security is not exposed to any=
direct military threat. The Defence Ministry is closely monitoring th=
e ongoing
fighting in Croatia, but finding a solution is the task of politics, =
said
Defence
Minister Gy=F6rgy Keleti in a speech he delivered at the Budapest-bas=
ed
J=E1nos Bolyai Military Technical College today.
Keleti said that in his assessment Hungary would be admitted a ful=
l
member of NATO before the year 2000.
A ceremony was staged at the college to mark the 50th anniversary=
of commissioning the last year students of the one-time Combined Infa=
ntry
Military Academy as professional officers and ensigns.
State of Israel Commemorated on 47th Anniversary
Budapest, May 7 (MTI) - The Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Society=
held a commemoration marking the 47th anniversary of the founding of =
the
state of Israel in the gala hall of Budapest's E=F6tv=F6s L=F3r=E1nd =
University
Faculty of Law here today.
Zolt=E1n G=E1l, Speaker of Parliament, pointed out in an introduct=
ion that
Israel and Hungary were fostering good relations, something of partic=
ular
significance for both states.
After World War II nearly 250,000 Hungarian Jews found a new home=
in the ancient land of their people, while the largest Jewish communi=
ty in
Central-Eastern Europe lives in Hungary today.
In a festive speech Israeli ambassador Joel Alon stressed that whi=
le
the Middle East peace process made considerable headway in the past=
year, the day of independence regrettably cannot constitute a feast o=
f peace
for the young Jewish state yet.
He said that during the barely 50-year history of Israel his count=
ry had
to defend its independence in the face of its neighbours in several w=
ars.
Alon also said his country had to defend an experiment unique in t=
he
world, to bring about a modern economic and socially democratic Jewis=
h
state.
Hungarian Top Finance Leaders in Tokyo
Tokyo, May 7 (MTI) - Enhancing interest by Japanese investors in=
Hungary is the key goal of the visit paid by Finance Minister Lajos B=
okros,
Gy=F6rgy Sur=E1nyi, president of the National Bank and Frigyes H=E1rs=
hegyi, vice-
president of the National Bank, in Tokyo today.
During the two-day visit the Hungarian executives are expected to=
meet Foreign Minister Yohei Kono, Finance Minister Takemura Masayoshi=
,
Matsushita Jasuo, governor of the Japanese national bank, and executi=
ves
of several major trading and credit banks, Daiwa and Nomura securitie=
s
companies and the Japanese Credit Qualification Institute.
Bokros told MTI the plan at talks with the representatives of the=
Japanese administration is to achieve a realistic image of Hungary in=
Japan,
and to win the support of business circles to invest in Hungary.
Talks with representatives of the business circles will matter a g=
reat
deal, because a considerable size of the Hungarian debt service resul=
ts
=66rom credits extended by them.
President G=F6ncz Proceeds from London to Paris
London, May 7 (MTI) - An atmosphere of reconciliation was tangible=
all the way through on the first two days of the commemorations in Lo=
ndon
of the victory won by the allies on the European theaters of war in W=
orld
War II, said President =C1rp=E1d G=F6ncz of Hungary prior to his depa=
rture at
London's Waterloo Station today.
He said the deeply human quality of the programme was the greatest=
experience for him.
President G=F6ncz and his wife had been staying in Britain since l=
ast
Wednesday evening.
The aim of the presidential visit was twofold: the president was=
awarded an honorary title by Oxford University on Thursday, and on=
Saturday and Sunday he attended the London events of the series of=
commemorations staged by the one-time allies.
On Sunday evening President G=F6ncz left by train from London to=
Paris, the next stage of the jubilee celebrations.
President G=F6ncz will then leave from Paris to Moscow where he wi=
ll
also attend the victory commemorations.
Victory Day Anniversary - Distinction for Courage
Budapest, May 7 (MTI) - "...he who saves but one life - acts as if=
he
had saved the whole world" - Distinction for Courage - Pro Virtute - =
awards
were presented in the spirit of this thought to Hungarian individuals=
here
today who had risked their lives during the extreme right-wing era of=
the
Arrow-Cross rule to save their Jewish compatriots.
Minister of the Interior G=E1bor Kuncze presented the Hungarian=
awards to representatives of the Israeli Yad Vashem, the True of the=
World's Peoples at a commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of th=
e
end of World War II. Prime Minister Gyula Horn and Speaker of Parliam=
ent
Zolt=E1n G=E1l attended.
In a festive speech Gal recalled the events of 1944, the darkest y=
ear
of Hungarian history: the Nazi occupation, when Hungary became a fron=
tline
country.
G=E1l said it was a fact that no such huge armed resistance develo=
ped
against the occupiers in Hungary as in other countries of Europe. But=
the
point is that resistance was successful in those countries where a wi=
de
ranging national unity was brought about on this issue. But saving hu=
man
beings was all the more important.
He said many Hungarian compatriots had supported the refugees for=
humanistic, Christian, liberal or left-wing considerations During the=
Arrow-
Cross rule, those who supported the refugees in any way played with t=
heir
life in the narrowest sense of the word. Yet there were some - and no=
t so
few - courageous persons who ran the risk of securing the lives of ma=
ny,
said G=E1l.
Then Joel Alon, the ambassador of Israel, said it took particular=
courage in Hungary to act according to what they felt was their duty.
While the "true" were regarded as resistance fighters everywhere i=
n
Europe, they were described as traitors.
Now - that the Hungarian government is the first to accept
responsibility for not only refugees, but only for Hungarian history =
and the
Hungarian nation - a circle could perhaps close: those Hungarians who=
had
saved Hungarian Jews, are no longer traitors, but are setting an exam=
ple.
This is evidence that in Hungary too this kind of human justice an=
d
morality will determine the future of the country and the conscience =
of the
Hungarian nation, and let us hope the future relations between Hungar=
ians
and Jews, and Hungary and Israel , said Alon.
Raising a toast in honour of those decorated, Prime Minister Horn=
described the courage of the "the true" as a fine example of active s=
olidarity,
which represented a major contribution to enhancing the self-respect =
of the
nation.
Speaking on behalf of the Hungarian nation, the Prime Minister=
apologized to the Jewry and all victims of fascism.
Let there never come such terrible times again in the future, and =
this
is above all the responsibility of politicians" - said Horn.
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A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
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Reposting is supported by Hungarian Human Rights Foundation News
and Information Service.
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|
+ - | Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Newsletter (maj.9) (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó: (cikkei)
|
N E W S L E T T E R
from the Daily Bulletin of the Hungarian News Agency MTI
distributed by the Department for Press and International Information
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Hungary
H-1394, Budapest P.O.B. 423.
Telephone: 36 (1) 156-8000
Telefax: 36 (1) 156-3801
No. 90/1995 09 May
1995
President Goncz in Paris
Paris, May 8 (MTI) - Hungarian President Arpad Goncz on Monday
met the newly elected French President, Jacques Chirac.
Goncz is in Paris to attend the VE Day ceremonies.
Speaking to Hungarian journalists accredited to Paris, President
Goncz said he had invited Jacques Chirac to visit Hungary, which the
French president-elect was pleased to accept.
The Hungarian president attended a gala lunch hosted by outgoing
President Francois Mitterrand on Monday. Goncz thanked the French
president for his efforts made in the interest of Europe, and within this for
Hungary, over the last 14 years. Goncz said Francois Mitterrand would
always be a welcome guest in Hungary.
Goncz arrived in Paris late Sunday evening from London. He is to fly
on to Moscow, and will be among the heads of state attending the VE Day
celebrations there.
Hungarian President in Moscow
Moscow, May 8 (MTI) - Hungarian President Arpad Goncz arrived in
Moscow from Paris late Monday evening.
Goncz is to attend the ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of
the victory over fascism, to be held in the Russian capital.
On Tuesday morning, Goncz is to view the parade of veterans in Red
Square, and will place a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier on
Tuesday afternoon.
He will then attend the opening of a new victory memorial site in
Moscow, but will not be present for the military parade there.
The programme of the Hungarian president will end with the gala
reception in the Kremlin on Tuesday evening.
President Goncz is to return to Budapest on Wednesday.
Statement by Catholic Bishops
Budapest, May 8 (MTI) - The Conference of the Catholic Bishops of
Hungary published a statement in Budapest on Monday on the 50th
anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe. The statement,
referring to the events of more than half a century ago, says:
" The racial supremacy of the new pagans, their arrogant insolence
and blind greed for power over the world butchered millions of people,
including hundreds of thousands of Hungarian soldiers, who were sent to
fight in foreign countries and to the gas chambers of the concentration
camps. How many innocent civilians and children were killed during those
times! The weeping of the widows, orphans and parents of the dead showed
that there was hardly a family who was not mourning someone, perhaps
buried in an unknown place. There are many people who, even today, have
psychological scars from World War Two.
- On the 50th anniversary marking the end of this terrible war, the
Conference of the Catholic Bishops of Hungary is first of all praying for the
victims and asking every believer to pray that God grant them the happiness
of eternal life. It turns with sympathy to those whose life was ruined by this
universal catastrophe. It begs for the mercy of Jesus to strengthen them.
- Hungary's Catholic bishops sincerely hope that the memory of
World War Two will stand as a clear warning to every statesman and citizen
all over the world. Let this memory teach everyone to respect life and
preserve peace now, when war is raging in several parts of the world," the
statement concludes.
Zoltan Gal Meets Karolos Papoulias
Budapest, May 8 (MTI) - Speaker of Hungarian Parliament Zoltan Gal
and Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias held talks in Budapest on
Monday. They stated their hope that alongside the development of friendly
and cordial political relations between their countries, the economic ties
would also become tighter. The Greek entrepreneurs who accompanied the
foreign minister to Hungary are expected to play a major role in this process,
partly by taking part in privatization in Hungary.
As regards European integration, Papoulias said that Greece's
position was that all the countries of Europe should form a big family, and
pledged that Greece would take a stand for this opinion at the inter-
governmental conference of 1996.
Greece's view on NATO expansion is that the European security
system should be built jointly and that different interests should be
reconciled to this end. It would be unfortunate if Hungary were left out of
this
structure, Papoulias said.
Greece welcomes the signing of the Hungarian-Slovak basic treaty,
and hopes that the Hungarian-Romanian one will be accomplished shortly.
Gal assured Papoulias that Hungary would do its best to come to terms with
Romania in this respect.
Gal will pay an official visit to Athens to promote links between the t
wo
countries' parliaments.
Hungarian-Greek Foreign Affairs Talks
Budapest, May 8 (MTI) - Political relations between Greece and
Hungary are free of problems, our views coincide on peace and European
cooperation, Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said in Budapest on
Monday at a joint press conference held with his Hungarian counterpart,
Laszlo Kovacs.
The Greek foreign minister is currently in Hungary on an official visit
,
meeting an invitation from Kovacs.
The sides exchanged the ratification documents of the basic
agreement between the two countries.
At the press conference, Kovacs said they had reviewed bilateral
relations, and agreed that a high-level meeting between the leaders of the
two countries could be held in the future.
He also announced that Hungarian President Arpad Goncz and
Speaker of Parliament Zoltan Gal have been invited to visit Greece.
The foreign ministers said they held discussions on the membership
of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Kovacs, as the OSCE's
chairman in office, said the Macedonian foreign minister had asked, during
his recent visit to Hungary, for full membership in the OSCE.
In knowledge of the Greek position, Kovacs said he believes that full
membership can only be granted to Macedonia if all member states,
including Greece, agree with that.
Kovacs indicated he is to visit both countries in the near future, to
mediate in the matter.
Papoulias said that Greece, as member of both the European Union
and NATO, has, and will continue to support Hungary's Euro-Atlantic efforts.
In answer to a question, the Greek foreign minister said the embargo
in force against Yugoslavia has so far caused major financial damage to
many countries, including Greece. The countries that suffered the damage
have agreed to turn to the United Nations in a memorandum, asking for
compensation.
On Monday afternoon, Papoulias visited the Labatlan paper factory of
the Piszkei Paper Co. The factory has been in Greek ownership, together
with the Szentendre Paper Factory, since the end of 1993.
Defence Minister to Visit Brussels
Budapest, May 8 (MTI) - Hungarian Defence Minister Gyorgy Keleti
will have talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels on May 12, to outline
Hungary's integration plans to the organization. In particular, he will have
talks with Sergio Balanzino, NATO deputy secretary-general, and with Sir
Richard Vincent, chairman of NATO's Defence Planning Committee. Keleti
will also brief the ambassadors of the major NATO member states about
Hungary's intentions. Since his visit is unofficial, Keleti is not scheduled to
meet NATO Secretary-General Willy Claes.
The defence minister wishes to detail his department's plans on
joining the Euro-Atlantic organizations, to find out how advanced the study
on the expansion of NATO is and to hear NATO's view on Hungary and the
Hungarian armed forces.
The Hungarian armed forces" tasks with regard to integration will be
on the agenda of Parliament's Defence Committee this week. According to a
Ministry of Defence report, an overall modernization programme, even with
armed forces considerably smaller than today's, would take 10-15 years to
carry out and require major financial sacrifices from society. Joining NATO,
however, is primarily a question of political intention and the most important
requirement is the so-called "intellectual compatibility". Professional
training
and language teaching in the armed forces are still not at the level needed
for planning and conducting joint exercises, says the document. Neither is
there an efficient system to apply what has been learnt by officers who have
attended military academies in NATO member countries.
NATO Conference in Budapest
Budapest, May 8 (MTI) - The Hungarian government agrees with
NATO that the security and stability of Europe can be guaranteed only by
cooperation and joint action, said Hungarian Minister of Interior Gabor
Kuncze at a conference organized under the auspices of the Partnership for
Peace programme.
At the three-day forum, the 130 delegates from 26 countries are
discussing issues related to civil defence and to legislation dealing with the
response to disasters.
The Hungarian minister emphasized that the objectives of the
Partnership for Peace programme were in accord with Hungary's aim of
joining NATO and with the fundamental principles approved by Parliament.
In his view, legislation dealing with the response to disasters is essential in
an advanced democratic country to protect its sovereignty, the peace of its
citizens and property.
Finance Minister on His Talks in Tokyo
Tokyo, May 8 (MTI) - On Monday, the Hungarian financial delegation
currently paying an official visit to Japan held talks with Japanese Foreign
Minister Kono Yohei and Finance Minister Takemura Masayoshi, as well as
with representatives of the Long Term Credit Bank and the Sumitomo Bank.
The delegation includes: Finance Minister Lajos Bokros, President of the
National Bank of Hungary (NBH) Gyorgy Suranyi and NBH Vice-President
Frigyes Harshegyi.
The Japanese foreign minister visited Hungary recently, accordingly
the current talks can be regarded as a continuation of his talks in Budapest,
Bokros said in an interview given to MTI. In summing up the experiences of
the first day, he said their Japanese negotiating partners had assured them
of their unanimous support for the Hungarian government"s economic
policy. This support extends to every element of this policy, from measures
stimulating export and economic growth to budget cuts and the curbing of
domestic consumption. As earlier, the Japanese government backs
Hungary's efforts to reach an agreement with the International Monetary
Fund as soon as possible.
In Bokros's view, the support Japan is giving to Hungary in an effort
to increase the inflow of loans and capital investments is significant. The
Hungarian delegates assured the Japanese that the rephrasing of
Hungary's debt repayments or any similar steps, often recommended by
"irresponsible economists and politicians" in Hungary, were out of the
question. Japanese investors have so far regarded Hungary as their bridge-
head for penetrating into the markets of Central and Eastern Europe.
Nothing is further from the Hungarian government"s intention than to shatter
the Japanese investors" trust in Hungary, the minister underlined.
After the talks, the three Hungarian financial leaders delivered
lectures to the representatives of Japanese investment circles on the latest
developments and primary goals in Hungary's economic policy.
In his lecture on Hungary's debt burden, Frigyes Harshegyi said that
Hungary was one of the few countries of the world whose reputation as a
good debtor was spotless. The Hungarian government is determined to fulfill
its international payment obligations in the future, Harshegyi said.
Hungarian-German Police Colleges Sign Agreement
Budapest, May 8 (MTI) - Professor Thomas Feltes, rector of the
Police Specialized College of Villingen-Schwenningen in Germany, and
police brigadier Dr Valer Danos, commander of the Hungarian Police
Officers' College, signed a cooperation agreement in Budapest on Monday.
Under its terms, selected students of the two colleges will mutually
attend training in one another's colleges, and both sides intend to utilize
professional knowledge and experiences acquired in their education thus
far.
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A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
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[*][*][*] [*][*][*] [*][*] [*][*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
Reposting is supported by Hungarian Human Rights Foundation News
and Information Service.
*****************************************************************
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