Fáklyaláng, 1965. október (6. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1965-10-23 / 10. szám
12 FÁKLYALÁNG ment of a united people was indeed, threatened by a form of “counter-revolution” and it was to this that it succumbed. However, the “counterrevolution” consisted in the setting up by Soviet armed forces of Mr. Kádár and his colleagues in opposition to a Government which enjoyed the overwhelming support of the people of Hungary; (xii) Following the second Soviet intervention on 4 November, there has been no evidence of popular support for Mr. Kádár’s Government. Mr. Kádár has successively abandoned most of the points from the revolutionary programme which he had at first promised to the Hungarian people. On the central question of the withdrawal of Soviet troops, he has moved from complete acceptance of the nation’s wishes to a refusal to discuss the subject in present circumstances. Against the workers, he has proceeded step by step to destroy their power and that of the Workers’ Councils. Capital punishment is applicable to strike activities. The processes of justice have been distorted by the institution of special police and special courts and by the ignoring of the rights of the accused. The Social Democratic Party has again been forcibly liquidated. General elections have been postponed for two years. Writers and intellectuals are subjected to repressive measures. The Hungarian workers have shown no sign of support for Mr. Kádár’s Government or for the prospect of continuous Soviet occupation. Only a small fraction of the 190,000 Hungarians, mostly young people, who fled the country have accepted his invitation to return. The peasants have reason to be grateful to Mr. Nagy for his attitude towards collectiviation of agriculture and forced deliveries of farm produce; (xiii) In the light of the extent of foreign intervention, consideration of the Hungarian question by the United Nations was legally proper and, moreover, it was requested by a legal Government of Hungary. In the matter of human rights, Hungary has accepted specific international obligations in the Treaty of Peace. Accordingly, the Committee does not regard objections based on paragraph 7 of Article 2 of the Charter as having validity in the present case. A massive armed intervention by one Power on the territory of another, with the avowed intention of interfering with the internal affairs of the country must, the Soviet’s own definition of aggression, be a mtter of international concern. GREAT AMERICANS ABOUT THE OCTOBER 23, 1956 HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION . . . (Continued from page 9) Becuse of our sympathy for the Hungarian Freedom Fighters, Hungary presents probably the strongest case for the adoption of an American policy designed to gain freedom for the people of Eastern Europe.” (Excerpt from Post Magazine of October 12, 1963, written by Richard M. Nixon.) RICHARD CARDINAL CUSHING “. . . Keep up your courage. It is true that the poor people behind the iron curtain seem to have been abandoned but that is no reason for losing hope. God love you all. ..” (Excerpt from Cardinal Cushing’s letter of June 18, 1964.) THOMAS J. DODD “The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 evokes memories that will be cherished for a thousand years by all those who love freedom. Your organization, the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Federation, is the living embodiement of the heroism and dedication to freedom that inspired this historic uprising. That is why your award means so much to me. There are some who say that the Hungarian Revolution was a great disaster, and that it stands as a lesson that Communist regimes are invulnerable to popular discontent. To these I reply that the Hungarian Revolution, even in defeat, was a major triumph for the cause of freedom — because, at one stroke, it proved how universally these regimes are detested by those they subjugate; it proved that neither one generation nor two generations nor ten generations of brainwashing can produce a breed of human robots who are prepared to accept the complete denial of freedom as natural and proper; it proved that Communist regimes, if they are cut off from direct support by the Soviet Army, are exceedingly vulnerable to popular revolution; it proved that the future lies with freedom and not with tyranny. It is a great tragedy that the question of Hungary has been removed from the agenda of the United Nations. To those who defend this decision on the grounds that we must accept the status quo, I say that their position is tantamount to legitimizing aggression and murder and rape if the criminal can remain in control of his victims and his loot for a period of several years. In his final report on Hungary before being relieved of his position, Sir Leslie Munro, the United Nations Special Representative on Hungary, pointed out that “The question of Hungary is one of continuing importance and involves a question of principle, the safeguarding of which is vital to the security of small states.” Despite the warnings of Sir Leslie Munro, the question of Hungary was stricken from the agenda, with the passive acquiesence of the Western powers. But the question I assure you has not been stricken from the agenda of history.” FÁKLYALÁNG HUNGARIAN TORCHLIGHT A Monthly Review of Hungarian Issues EDITOR: MIHÁLY HÓKA P. O. Box 249, Grade Station New York, N. Y. 10028 PLACE FOR STAMP
