RFE/RL NEWSLINE
Vol 1, No. 7, 9 April 1997

HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON NATO. Laszlo Kovacs
says Hungary is not seeking protection from NATO but rather
the benefits of belonging to an expanded zone of stability,
Hungarian media reported. Kovacs was speaking yesterday at
a meeting with representatives of civic organizations. A recent
Gallup poll shows that only 47% of the Hungarian public
supports NATO membership. Support among the military,
however, stands at 57%, according to the poll. Meanwhile,
Kovacs also said the scandal over anti-Semitic remarks made
in the parliament by Smallholders Party Deputy Chairwoman
Agnes Nagy Maczo sheds poor light on Hungary. He added that
the main problem is that she is defended by her own party,
while "other opposition parties failed to clearly distance
themselves" from her comments.

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