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Hungarian Atlantic Council - 14 March 1995 (mind) |
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OMRI Daily Digest - 13 March 1995 (mind) |
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CET - 15 March 1995 (mind) |
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CET - 14 March 1995 (mind) |
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| + - | OMRI Daily Digest - 14 March 1995 (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
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OMRI DAILY DIGEST
No. 52, 14 March 1995
CLINTON ON SLOVAK-HUNGARIAN TREATY. U.S. President Bill Clinton, in a
letter to Slovak Premier Vladimir Meciar, has praised Slovak efforts at
concluding a basic treaty with Hungary, Narodna obroda reports. Clinton
wrote "I was pleased by the news of your efforts leading to the signing
of the basic agreement with Hungary . . . Resolving the potential
sources of misunderstanding and tension in Central Europe is the most
important condition for stability in this region and the future of
European integration." Meetings between Slovak and Hungarian officials
continue in Bratislava and Budapest in an effort to secure the final
wording of the treaty, which Meciar and his Hungarian counterpart, Gyula
Horn, hope to sign by 20 March. If necessary, Meciar and Horn will meet
later this week in an effort to work out final details, Sme reported on
13 March. -- Sharon Fisher, OMRI, Inc.
ROMANIAN MAYOR BANS MAGYAR RALLIES. Gheorghe Funar, controversial mayor
of Cluj, has banned rallies planned by ethnic Hungarians to mark
Hungary's national holiday on 15 March. Funar, who is also president of
the extreme nationalist Party of Romanian National Unity, was quoted by
Reuters as saying he has banned all public meetings because several
organizations, including Romanian nationalist groups, applied to hold
rallies the same day. A leader of the Cluj branch of the Hungarian
Democratic Federation of Romania described Funar's ban as "illegal" and
said that ethnic Hungarians would ignore it. Meanwhile, Radio Bucharest
on 13 March reported that Funar has urged Romanian President Ion Iliescu
to consult all parliament parties on the draft treaty with Hungary.
Funar sharply criticized the provisions of the treaty requiring Romania
to guarantee the rights of its large Hungarian minority and Hungary to
recognize existing borders. -- Dan Ionescu, OMRI, Inc.
[As of 1200 CET]
Compiled by Jan Cleave
|
| + - | Hungarian Atlantic Council - 14 March 1995 (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó:  (cikkei)
|
14 March 1995
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Hungarian Atlantic Council
tel. (361) 268 396O
fax: (361) 268 3962
e-mail: 
During its biannual meeting on March 1O, 1995, the
Hungarian Atlantic Council elected Former Foreign
Minister Geza Jeszenszky as President. The six newly
eleceted Vice-Presidents are Professor of Law Janos
Bruhacs, Transportation Minister Karoly Lotz, Laszlo
Surjan M.P., Jozsef Szajer M.P., State Secretary
Csaba Tabajdi, Szilveszter E. Vizi, Professor of
Experimental Medicine and Member of the Hungarian Academy
of Sciences. Eniko Bollobas, Professor of American
Studies, has been re-elected Secretary General of the
Hungarian Atlantic Council.
Geza Jeszenszky is one of the prominent elder statesmen
of democratic Hungary, with a long history of commitment
to Atlantic ideals. It was during his term in office as
Foreign Minister from 1990-1994 that Hungary left the
Warsaw Pact furthering its
dissolution and simultaneously made decisive steps
towards integration into Western economic and security
structures such as NATO and the EU. It was at this time
also that Hungary, as a new and reliable partner, opened
its political and military establishments to the eyes of
the Alliance and welcomed such stabilizing efforts
of NATO as the AWACS overflight in a region potentially
affected by the war in the former Yugoslavia. Not only
did the Hungarian Government, with Mr. Jeszenszky
as Foreign Minister, approach the issues of integration,
but successfully put bilateral relations with individual
countries on a new footing as well, concluding over a
dozen bilateral treaties with neighboring and other
European countries.
A noted historian, Mr. Jeszenszky, along with his
political responsibilities as Member of Parliament,
continues to teach at the Budapest Economics University
where he incorporates the history of NATO into his
curriculum.
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A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
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and Information Service.
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| + - | VoA - Magyarorszag gazdasaga (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó:  (cikkei)
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date=3/13/95
type=correspondent report
number=2-175417
title=Hungary Econ (l-only)
byline=Barry Wood
dateline=Prague
content=
voiced at:
Intro: In an attempt to boost sagging domestic and international
confidence in its economic policies, Hungary has announced a big
currency devaluation and measures to reduce the country's fiscal
and balance of payments deficit. V-o-A's Barry Wood reports.
Text: Hungary's new economic team says the country's currency,
the forint, is being devalued by nine percent effective
immediately. In addition, the currency will be devalued by just
under two percent each month until July. After that, the forint
will be devalued by one-point-three percent monthly until the end
of the year.
Hungary's new finance minister, Lajos Bokros, says the government
has no choice but to begin dismantling Hungary's generous
system of social benefits, which, he says, can no longer be
afforded. Beginning in July, family allowance payments --
currently available to all parents -- will be limited to the
poor. Tuition will be introduced at universities in September.
Public sector employees and university staff will be cut.
Concerning the forint, Mr. Bokros says pre-arranged, regular
devaluations corresponding to the inflation rate will reduce
speculation and promote confidence. The government is also
introducing an eight percent customs duty on all non-energy,
non-capital equipment imports.
Hungary has large budget and balance of payments deficits. Its
large foreign debt has prompted some bankers to worry that
Hungary could face a Mexican-style loss of confidence and capital
flight. Anxiety increased in January when the previous finance
minister feuded with the prime minister and subsequently
resigned, protesting what he said was a bungled privatization of
a major hotel chain. Hungary has attracted more foreign direct
investment than any other post-communist economy, but those
capital flows have all but halted in recent months. (Signed)
neb/bdw/skh/gpt
13-Mar-95 7:23 am est (1223 utc)
nnnn
source: Voice of America
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A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
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and Information Service.
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| + - | VoA - Bank (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
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date=3/14/95
type=correspondent report
number=2-175488
title= Hungary Bank (l only)
byline= Barry Wood
dateline= Prague
content=
voiced at:
Intro: In what may be an indication of diminishing foreign
investor interest in Hungary, a large Swiss bank is abandoning
its plan to buy the state-owned Budapest Bank, Hungary's sixth
largest financial institution. V-o-A's Barry Wood reports.
Text: Zurich based Credit Suisse has abruptly decided not to
proceed with its plan to buy Budapest Bank. Credit Suisse says
after months of examination it concluded it would be too costly
and difficult to restructure Budapest Bank, which is only the
second Hungarian bank to be privatized.
The announcement shocked the Hungarian business community and the
government of socialist prime minister Gyula Horn. The
government had hoped to earn up to 100 million dollars from the
sale. Analysts say the withdrawal further complicates Hungary's
efforts to restore its tarnished reputation for being a leader in
free market reforms.
Only three months ago, amid strong investor interest, the
Hungarian government gave exclusive bidding rights to Credit
Suisse. Dutch and Irish banks which had lost out to Credit
Suisse are re-examining their options.
Under communism, all banks in Central and Eastern Europe were
state controlled. Bank privatization has lagged behind other
economic sectors. Nigel Williams, an investment manager (in
Prague) for Austria's Creditanstalt Bank, says governments have
been reluctant to privatize banks.
//Williams act//
One of the problems you have with banking in Central
and Eastern Europe is that you have economies undergoing
radical change. And that radical change has led to
doubtful debts. And if you have your banking system
collapsing you could have your a wider collapse in your
economy. Therefore for macro-economic reasons, I can
understand why governments may be reluctant to let go
very quickly.
//End act//
In all of post-communist Europe, western banks have majority
control of only four important local banks.
There are other reasons that Credit Suisse may have lost interest
in Budapest Bank. The Hungarian bank's highly regarded managing
director, Lajos Bokros, earlier this month became Hungary's
finance minister.
As well, last year Credit Suisse's expansion plans were badly
disrupted when the Austrian government vetoed the Swiss bank's
plan to take over Vienna's Credit Anstalt. And finally, Budapest
Bank management wanted to focus on retail banking while Credit
Suisse wanted to stress corporate banking. (Signed)
neb/bdw/mh/mmk
14-Mar-95 10:40 am est (1540 utc)
nnnn
source: Voice of America
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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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|
| + - | OMRI Daily Digest - 13 March 1995 (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó:  (cikkei)
|
OMRI DAILY DIGEST
No. 51, 13 March 1995
FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN UKRAINE. Ukrainian Television on 11 March reported
that while Ukraine's population exceeds 52 million, the country
attracted only some $200 million in foreign investment in 1994. In
contrast, the Czech Republic and Hungary, each of which has only one-
fifth of Ukraine's population, secured $1.4 billion and $750 million,
respectively. Much of the blame for this lies with the government and
the legislature, the report said. But it is hoped that recent
legislation aimed at encouraging investors and the plan to make
substantial headway in privatization this year will help change the
situation. Meanwhile, IMF head Michel Camdessus arrived in Kiev on 10
March, international agencies reported. With regard to Ukraine's energy
debt with Russia, Camdessus said he had raised the subject with Russian
President Boris Yeltsin and Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin during
his recent visit to Moscow. Camdessus met with parliament speaker Olek-
sander Moroz, who argued that the IMF's demand that Ukraine's budget
deficit be kept down to 4.2% was unrealistic. He suggested that 7.2% was
a more likely figure. -- Ustina Markus, OMRI, Inc.
GERMAN WAR DEAD NOT TO GET SEPARATE CEMETERY. Up to 2,000 German
soldiers who died in the Czech Republic during World War II will be
buried in the same cemetery as Russians, Americans, and other war dead,
Czech media report. The remains of the German soldiers were collected
from western and northern Bohemia but have been kept in a workshop in
Cheb while the town council decided what to do with them. The council
originally approved a plan by the German war graves organization for the
Germans to have their own cemetery, but the council that took office
after local elections last November rejected the idea. A compromise
whereby the Germans will be buried alongside some 200 Russian soldiers
and 70 Americans, Belgians, French, Hungarians, and Poles was approved
by the Cheb council on 10 March. -- Steve Kettle, OMRI, Inc.
POWERS OF SLOVAK CABINET OFFICE STRENGTHENED. The Slovak parliament on
10 March voted to strengthen the powers of the cabinet office,
particularly as regards control over ministries and enterprises, Sme
reported the next day. State secretaries will be able to vote in place
of ministers at cabinet discussions, and the government will be able to
appoint the leadership of various central organs of the state
administration. The parliament also approved a cabinet proposal to
create the new Ministry of Construction and Public Works. Critics said
these measures were another attempt to centralize power. Meanwhile,
another round of talks on the Hungarian-Slovak treaty on 10 March in
Budapest ended without any results, Pravda reported on 11 March. The
next round is due to begin on 14 March in Budapest. -- Sharon Fisher,
OMRI, Inc.
HUNGARY DEVALUES FORINT, WILL CUT SOCIAL SPENDING. At a press conference
on 12 March, Hungarian Finance Minister Lajos Bokros, flanked by Prime
Minister Gyula Horn and Hungarian National Bank President Gyorgy
Suranyi, announced a series of harsh economic measures designed to
reduce the country's spiraling debts, MTI and Western news agencies
report. Bokros announced that as of 13 March, the forint will be
devalued by 9% in order to improve the competitiveness of exports while
curtailing consumption. He said that wage controls will be introduced at
state-owned companies and an 8% duty imposed on all imports beginning 20
March. Bokros also announced that as of 1 July, the government will pay
family allowances only for low-income citizens and that in September,
general tuition fees will be introduced at state-owned universities. He
argued that the measures were necessary to restore international
investor confidence in Hungary. Disagreeing with the measures, Minister
for Social Welfare Pal Kovacs and Bela Katona, minister without
portfolio in charge of the secret services, offered their resignation.
-- Edith Oltay, OMRI, Inc.
[As of 12:00 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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and Information Service.
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|
| + - | CET - 15 March 1995 (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó:  (cikkei)
|
Wednesday, 15 March 1995
Volume 2, Issue 52
REGIONAL NEWS
-------------
**HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA TO MEET AGAIN ON TREATY**
The prime ministers of Hungary and Slovakia are due to meet
tomorrow to try to resolve their differences over a basic
treaty due to be signed next week. The meeting comes just
four days before the opening of the European Union's Stability
Conference in Paris, where Hungary is supposed to sign basic
treaties with Slovakia and Romania. The issue of rights for
the substantial Hungarian minority in each country is a major
sticking point in both treaties. Hungarian Prime Minister
Gyula Horn and his Slovak counterpart Vladimir Meciar will be
discussing that issue and other problems like water-sharing
that are holding up the treaty.
NEWS FEATURE
------------
**HUNGARY REMEMBERS 1848 FIGHT FOR FREEDOM**
By David Fink
March 15 is a date no Hungarian can ever forget. On this day
in 1848, students in Budapest helped start a revolution that
nearly destroyed the Austrian Empire. Hungarians celebrate
their heroism in ceremonies today. March 15 became a day for
young Hungarians to protest for freedom.
Almost any Hungarian can sing the Kossuth song to you. It's
about the greatest hero of the 1848 revolution, the liberal
noble Lajos Kossuth. But historians say the youth of Budapest
should get most of the credit for the uprising. In March,
1848, revolutionary fever swept across Europe and citizens
rose in rebellion against their monarchist governments. On
the floor of the Hungarian Parliament, Kossuth demanded
autonomy within the Austro-Hungarian Empire and freedom for
the land-bound peasantry. When his program was blocked by the
monarchy, he turned to the radicals of Budapest for support.
The youth responded. On March 15, young intellectuals led by
the famous poet Sandor Petofi demonstrated on the steps of the
National Museum. They demanded liberal reforms curbing the
power of Austria's Hapsburgs and strengthening civil
liberties, especialy freedom of the press. Robert Hermann, a
professor in Budapest's Military History Institute says this
was the only bloodless revolution in Europe.
"We can consider Petofi's demonstration to be the main event of
the revolution. In fact almost the whole population of
Budapest was there. The size of demonstration puzzled the
authorities in Budapest and that was why they didn't pull out
their weapons and start killing the population."
The Austrian Emperor bowed to public pressure and enacted the
famous April laws making Hungary a more democratic state with
greater freedom of speech, press and religion. Then, in 1849,
Hungary declared itself completely independent from the
Hapsburg Empire. But that didn't last. Ethnic minorities
were angry because they weren't given special rights, and they
fought on the side of the Austrians. Russia also feared the
revolution could spread to Poland, so the Tsar sent troops
into Hungary at Austria's request top help crush the
rebellion. The memory of Hungary's fight for freedom has
never been erased. To this day Hungarians don't clink beer
glasses together when toasting each other. According to
legend, Austrian soldiers clinked mugs of beer after hanging
12 Hungarian officers.
More than 100 years later, under communism, March 15 still stood
for freedom in the minds of many. According to former
dissident Gabor Demszky, who's now the mayor of Budapest,
students began March 15 demonstrations again in the early '70s.
"What we demanded was freedom, but it was a very anti-capitalist
movement as well. I would describe that movement as anarchist
now. It was a student movement, but not very strong in any
sense."
Still, Demszky was thrown out of the Eotvos Lorand University
and some students were even jailed. But by the late 1980s,
the March 15 demonstrators were back in the thousands, helping
to push the communists out. Now that freedom has been
achieved, however, student Melinda Frigyessy says young
Hungarians aren't so interested in the reformers of 1848 or
what they stood for.
"That time was a time of ideals and dreams. Today students are
much more cynical and just too realistic. We can't really
feel that we have anything in common with them today."
Frigyessy says that if Hungary's freedom is ever threatened
again, March 15 could once more become a day of protest for
the young. But for now young people and most Hungarians, for
that matter, will spend a relaxed March 15 holiday secure in
the knowledge that they're free at last.
ABOUT CET ON-LINE
-----------------
* CET On-Line - copyright (c) 1995 Word Up! Inc. All rights reserved.
This publication may be freely forwarded, archived, or
otherwise distributed in electronic format only so long as
this notice, and all other information contained in this
publication is included. For-profit distribution of this
publication or the information contained herein is strictly
prohibited. For more information, contact the publishers.
*****************************************************************
A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*][*] [*][*][*]
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[*][*][*] [*][*][*] [*][*] [*][*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
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Reposting is supported by Hungarian Human Rights Foundation News
and Information Service.
*****************************************************************
|
| + - | CET - 14 March 1995 (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó:  (cikkei)
|
Tuesday, 14 March 1995
Volume 2, Issue 52
REGIONAL NEWS
-------------
**CLINTON CONCERNED OVER STATE OF SLOVAK DEMOCRACY**
US President Bill Clinton has sent Slovak Prime Minister
Vladimir Meciar a letter containing a thinly-veiled lecture
on, among other things, freedom of the press. Clinton
reminded Meciar of their meeting in Prague a year ago at which
they discussed, in the president's words, respect for
constitutional norms, implementation of market reforms and the
independence of the media. Clinton is also worried about
stalled talks on a Slovak-Hungarian treaty on minority rights
for the 600,000 Hungarians living in Slovakia. Meciar is
expected to visit Hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Horn this
week to try to resolve remaining differences over the treaty.
Both sides have agreed it should be signed by March 20.
**ROMANIAN NATIONALISM REPRESSING HUNGARIAN NATIONALISM**
Hungary is also trying to settle ethnic squabbles with Romania,
but the mayor of the Romanian city of Cluj isn't helping
matters. Gheorghe Funar has banned rallies planned by ethnic
Hungarians to commemorate Hungary's National Day tomorrow.
Minority leaders say they'll defy the edict and stage low-key
ceremonies in Cluj to honor the heroes of Hungary's 1848
revolution. Similar ceremonies will be held in several other
Transylvanian towns where most of Romania's 1.5 million ethnic
Hungarians live.
**HUNGARY'S ECONOMIC REFORMS CREATE GOVERNMENT RIFT**
Hungarian Welfare Minister Pal Kovacs and Minister Without
Portfolio Bela Katona are resigning to protest the
government's recently announced austerity measures. Government
spokesman Elemer Csak says Prime Minister Gyula Horn couldn't
convince Kovacs and Katona to stay after a meeting yesterday.
They're upset with sweeping measures announced Sunday that
begin to dismantle the cradle-to-grave welfare system Hungary
inherited from communism. Finance Minister Lajos Bokros says
the reforms will let the government focus on those truly in
need and help close the massive budget deficit which stands at
8 percent of the gross domestic product. Starting July 1, the
government will only give child support to the poorest
Hungarian families. Right now all families are eligible.
Also, state university students will have to start paying
college tuition in September. But aid will be given to needy
students. --David Fink
BUSINESS NEWS
-------------
**OPTIMISM OVER HUNGARIAN CURRENCY DEVALUATION**
Hungary's 9 percent devaluation of the forint yesterday set
ripples throughout the country's securities and money markets.
Blue chip stocks on the Budapest Stock Exchange leaped,
pushing the bourse up 45.87 points or 3.78 percent. It closed
at 1,258.48. The forint's mid-day trading rate yesterday was
117 to the dollar, up from 112 at the close of business last
week. In London, managers of emerging market investment funds
welcomed the move, saying it'll open opportunities. They
called the devaluation long overdue. The Hungarian central
bank says through July 1, the forint will be marked down by
1.9 percent a month. It'll then be devalued by 1.3 percent a
month. The bank says total devaluation for 1995 will be 26 to
27 percent.
**SWISS BANK BOWS OUT OF BUDAPEST BANK BID**
Credit Suisse is withdrawing its reported $100 million offer
for Hungary's Budapest Bank. The Swiss bank says it would've
been difficult to absorb Budapest Bank into its group of
companies. Credit Suisse was considered a top contender for
Budapest Bank and was offered exclusive rights to bid for the
bank in December. Earlier this month, Credit Suisse announced
it was conducting extensive research into the viability of the
bank, which inherited a huge portfolio of bad loans when it
was formned in 1987. But innovations like an extensive ATM
network and high-profile corporate clients like the state oil
company MOL, have enhanced the bank's image. There are now
two major contenders for Budapest Bank: ING Bank of the
Netherlands and Allied Irish Bank.
**ANTENNA HUNGARIA ON PRIVATIZATION BLOCK**
Hungary's State Holding Company is starting the privatization
of the national broadcasting company Antenna Hungaria. It
plans to begin publishing requests for bids later this month,
and hopes to have Antenna fully privatized by December.
Antenna Hungaria broadcasts both radio and television signals.
It's one of the biggest state assets being sold off this
year.
NEWS FEATURE
------------
**HUNGARY MOVES TO CONTROL EXPORTS OF TECHNOLOGY**
By David Fink
Since 1990, Central European countries have gotten a lot
tougher in controlling exports of sensitive technologies that
could be used to build nuclear or chemical weapons. The
restrictions have hurt Central European exporters, but
importers are happy because they've gained access to sensitive
western technology. American officials say some governments
and terrorist groups are looking around the world for
technology to make weapons of mass destruction, even in
Central Europe. Assistant Commerce Secretary John Despres
says it's hard to find something more important than a good
export control policy.
"It's important for the safety of people everywhere because when
export controls work nobody notices, when they don't work the
results can be literally explosive."
Despres was one of several American experts who attended a
recent seminar the US sponsored jointly with Hungary,
concerning restrictions on technology exports. State
Department Export Control Policy Director William Pope was
also there. He says many high tech items have both civilian
and military uses, meaning stringent export controls are
needed everywhere.
"People aren't going to go selling for the most part, to
somebody like Saddam Hussein or Muhammar Khaddafi, chemical
weapons. What you have is an attempt by a regime of that
nature to go out and piece meal buy the machine tools and
little bits of nuclear material in various places."
Pope says Central European countries, especially Hungary, Poland
and the Czech Republic, have successfully adopted western
export control procedures over the past five years. Zsolt
Kohalmi is in charge of Hungary's inter-agency committee on
export control.
"Before 1990 there were some specific first of all arms controls
which were coordinated within the Warsaw Pact. It had nothing
to do with the western export controls. Certainly it was a
much narrower scope at the time."
Now companies must obtain a license before selling a wide range
of products abroad, about 5 percent of Hungary's exports are
affected. Kohalmi says Hungary produces electronic, nuclear,
chemical and biological technology that could be dangerous in
the wrong hands. In fact, Kohalmi says what he calls a
"moderate" number of firms have been denied export licenses in
the past few years. Kohalmi admits that businesses could be
hurt by the restrictions. But he says on the whole, they
benefit Hungary.
"In the long run, if we have a secure world it will also be good
for our economy. However, the introduction of the export
control system made it possible for Hungary to acquire
advanced technology in telecommunications, informatics and
computers."
One company that's benefitted from the new, stringent controls
is Lab Comp, an importer of IBM computers. Lab Comp Trade
Manager Kalman Fabian says western firms are now more willing
to do business with him.
"The adopting of the import control system was important. The
western companies were not worried that their high-tech
products would go to the Hungarian Army, but they were afraid
of re-export."
So, while Hungarian exporters will now have a tougher time
sending their high-tech products abroad, importers have access
to more foreign goods than ever before. And it's less likely
terrorist bombs will have a Central European link.
ABOUT CET ON-LINE
-----------------
* CET On-Line - copyright (c) 1995 Word Up! Inc. All rights reserved.
This publication may be freely forwarded, archived, or
otherwise distributed in electronic format only so long as
this notice, and all other information contained in this
publication is included. For-profit distribution of this
publication or the information contained herein is strictly
prohibited. For more information, contact the publishers.
*****************************************************************
A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*][*] [*][*][*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
[*][*][*] [*][*][*] [*][*] [*][*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
[*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*]
Reposting is supported by Hungarian Human Rights Foundation News
and Information Service.
*****************************************************************
|
| + - | OMRI Daily Digest - 15 March 1995 (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó:  (cikkei)
|
OMRI DAILY DIGEST
No. 53, 15 March 1995
HUNGARIAN PROTESTERS URGE GOVERNMENT TO RESIGN. Nearly 10,000 people
marched through Budapest on 14 March to protest an austerity package
that will trim government benefits to families, MTI and Western news
agencies reported. Protesters joined Jozsef Torgyan, chairman of the
Independent Smallholders' Party, in calling for the resignation of Prime
Minister Gyula Horn and his government. Torgyan, whose party holds 26 of
the 386 seats in the parliament, accused Horn of "giving up our
country's basic social achievements." The Horn government's austerity
package, announced on 12 March, was also criticized by trade unions and
other opposition parties. Two ministers and a deputy state secretary
have tendered their resignations to protest the austerity measures,
which include drastically cutting allowances for child care and imposing
fees for university tuition. -- Edith Oltay, OMRI, Inc.
[As of 1200 CET]
Compiled by Jan Cleave
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A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
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| + - | VoA - Kelet-Europa (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
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date=3/15/95
type=correspondent report
number=2-175550
title=East Euro Transition (l-only)
byline=Barry Wood
dateline=Prague
content=
voiced at:
Intro: A U-S based research group has released a report that
asserts that the west has failed to deliver adequate assistance
to Central and East European economies in transition. V-o-A's
Barry Wood reports from Prague.
Text: The Institute for East-West Studies says the momentum for
market-based reform is losing strength in Central and Eastern
Europe.
With the exception of the Czech Republic, the institute says
leftist-leaning governments are moving less vigorously to build
the institutions vital for the success of a market economy.
At the same time, the institute says, the west is suffering from
aid fatigue and moving its assistance to the more needy economies
of the former Soviet Union. The institute says that while 62
billion dollars of aid has been promised to six post-communist
countries in Europe since 1990 only 16 billion dollars has been
delivered.
Included in the assistance survey are the six countries that have
signed pre-membership agreements with the European Union. They
are the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and
Bulgaria.
Stephen Heintz is the European Studies director for the Institute
of East-West Studies.
// Heintz act //
One of the reasons that this slowdown or loss of
momentum is so worrisome is that sustained economic
growth in these countries is essential if these
countries are actually going to get to the level where
they will be able to join the European Union. And that
is a very real challenge.
// End act //
Mr. Heintz says the danger is stagnation and drift and being
caught between failed central planning and a market economy.
The institute warns of a social crisis in Eastern Europe and
calls attention to old age pension systems which are underfunded
and inadequate.
Continued western assistance, it says, is vital. But that aid
should be targeted on small business, social reform, and the
development of non-profit, social welfare agencies. The
east-west institute says foreign investment in the region has
been less than expected. And that, unlike the post-World War Two
Marshall Plan aid to Western Europe, aid to Eastern Europe is
mostly in the form of loans that must be repaid. (Signed)
neb/bdw/skh/cf
15-Mar-95 10:05 am est (1505 utc)
nnnn
source: Voice of America
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A tovabbterjesztest a New York-i szekhelyu Magyar Emberi Jogok
Alapitvany tamogatja.
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| + - | CET - 16 March 1995 (mind) |
VÁLASZ |
Feladó:  (cikkei)
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Thursday, 16 March 1995
Volume 2, Issue 54
REGIONAL NEWS
-------------
**HUNGARIANS IN ROMANIA DEFY GOV'T WITH CELEBRATIONS**
Thousands of ethnic Hungarians staged big rallies around
Romania yesterday in honor of Hungary's national day. Adding
to the celebratory mood was optimism among the leaders of
Romania's Hungarian minority that disagreements between
Bucharest and Budapest over the Hungarian minority will be
cleared up in time for the two countries to sign a treaty
covering minority rights next week at the European Union's
Stability Pact Conference in Paris. Romanian Foreign Minister
Teodor Melescanu and his Hungarian counterpart Laszlo Kovacs
will meet in Budapest today to settle their differences.
Hungarian Prime Minster Gyula Horn and his Slovak counterpart,
Vladimir Meciar, are also set to hold talks today on the same
subject.
**HUNGARY SHOWS ITS COLORS**
Hungary's celebration of the 1848 revolution against Hapsburg
rule yesterday was a far cry from the old days. There was
some marching, but it was peaceful. The day began with a
solemn wreath laying at the statue of Lajos Kossuth in front
of Parliament. Under a cold, gray sky, Hungarians honored the
greatest hero of the uprising: the man who first demanded
autonomy for their country. Thousands marched to the steps of
the National Museum, the site of the revolution's most famous
event. On March 15, 1848, poet Sandor Petofi and young
radicals led an enormous rally attended by most of the city's
population. Police say the crowd to hear yesterday's speech
from President Arpad Goncz was much smaller, giving an
unofficial estimate of 3,000. Temperatures hovering around
freezing apparently kept many away. But those who did show up
say they wouldn't have missed it for anything. These
ceremonies were especially meanigful for Balint Barna, a
Hungarian from Transylvania.
"It means a lot to me. I'm from Transylvania, and at home we
wouldn't be able to celebrate this anniversary. At home we
wouldn't be allowed to wear badges of the Hungarian flag on
our clothes. The revolution of 1848 reminds me of many
things, like freedom for example, that is very important for
us there since we have gone through a lot of difficulties."
Hungary has its own difficulties these days: massive budget and
trade deficits, rising prices, and high unemployment. But at
least for a day, most Hungarians forgot their troubles and
recalled the heroes of an earlier age. --David Fink
ABOUT CET ON-LINE
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Alapitvany tamogatja.
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