1987. június (74-86. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2

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24/0 UHU R«*»«ll 3<r*«t, LONDON, WC l Ttl. P<-*to t< u ■ G. kro»*<A

81/1987/E/ 16th June, 1987

Memóriái in Budapest on the Anniversary of the Execution of

Imre nagy

On the 29th anniversary of the execution of Imre Nagy and other political prisoners sentenced to death a memóriái function was held in a priváté house in Budapest by the Hungárián democratic opposition. During the moming hours the opposition had organized a demonstration at the Batthyány Memóriái Y/ick which they re-named "Lajos Batthyány - Imre Nagy Memóriái Wick". Memóriái pamphlets were distributed in the streets and later that day, at 3:4-5 pm, a bouquet of

rememberance on plot 3ol of the Rákoskeresztúr cemeterywas placed. The ribbon read: "In memóriám Imre Nagy and his fellow- martyrs from the democratic opposition." These words were to emphasize that nőt only the victims of the Imre Nagy trials were to be remembered bút all who were killed as a result af counter-revolutionary retaliation, including the anonymous martyrs of the 1848 revolution.

The commemoration was opened by a speech by Tibor Philipp, the hőst of the evening. Mr. Philipp had carried one of the banners during the moming demonstration and now gave an account of the day's events, then János Kis philosopher held a short speech about the significance of the morning demonstration. He said that decent burial of the dead was a fundamental ethical commandment. He then spoke of the present condition of the country. The crisis can only be resolved by sacrifice bút these sacrifices will only be made by society provided that the sharing of responsibilities are determined by open debate. The authorities will be prepared fór dialogue if it is demanded by the whole of society rather than a handful of opposition. There is, however, no agreement to be reached with an authority v/hich nőt only refuses to face and answer questions posed by 1956 bút would nőt even mark the graves of its victims. Two others spoke og this subject. Dr. Tibor Pákh said that Imre Nagy and two thousand other patriots who were killed three decades ago had nőt only defended their country bút had acted in accordance with the spirit of International agreements. Pál Szalai remembered the I6th of June 1968, the day when Imre Nagy and his companions were officially commemorated in Czecho—Slovakia, while he himself stood alone in Budapest in front of the memóriái wick. Szalai was moved as he thanked the young mén fór their morning demonstration.

The memóriái function itself was opened by Tamás Molnár on behalf of the independent art group INC0N1HJ. The walls of the fiat were covered by photographs depicting Imre Nagy and his companions, and a bouquet identical to the one place’d on the grave lay on a small marble table. A long black drapery hung down to the floor from the bouquet to the fragmented picture of Imre Nagy printed on glass. Tam^s Molnár placed a candle of rememberance on this picture, lit it and all those present paid a one minute silent tribute to the memory of the re- volutionaries. Following this, Tamás Molnár read out a pamphlet