1988. április (71-108. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
í €gHW<H <t4RMÜ ®£Éi£ Editor: György Krassó * 24/D Little Russell Street * London, WC1A 2HN * Tel. 01-430 2126 (írom abroad 441-430 2126) 73/1988 (E) 2nd April, 1988 Announcement Of "Network Fór Free Init/i a ti vas" In Budapest important steps were taken in recent weeks to coordinate the activities of independent political groups. Members of many groups and others in agreement formed a body on March 17th called the "Network Fór Free Initiatives" and issued an announcement in which they assessed the contemporary Hungárián economic and political situation and outlined their objectives. The announcement, fór which more signatures will be collected, was signed by forty-six people: writers, economists, historians, lawyers, research scientists and somé representátivés of the Democratic Opposition(Movement: Gábor Demszky, György Gadó, Ottília Solt and four members of the Beszóló ("The Talker") editorial staff. The announcement verifies that Hungárián society does nőt trust in the govemment’s promises of advance and thinks that its increasing Lu.r*lests are senseless. While favourable foreign political conditions allow fór radical transformation the country is dragged helplessly towards catastrophy. If the state did nőt prepare to intensify violence and force bút truly wnnted to solve the crisis In a political way then it must clearly state that "the economic and political institutional system introduced in 1948 and restored at the end of 1956 has fallen intő crisis" and must conduct an honest dialogue with the nation. It is alsó necessary fór society to organise itself, to renounce fatalism, to rally in communities, to make its voice heard and thus become a political force. In order that the forces of democracy do nőt split asunder "Network Fór Free Initiatives wants to help distribute information between different groups, to follow the fate of Hungarians living within and out- side the borders, the development of living conditions, the situation of national minorities, social ventures, the activities of institutes and if necessary draw up a plán of action. The authors ask everyone who supports their venture to jóin them either by signing or by partájpating as counsellors, patrons or observers. In the following the announcement declares that one of its future plans is to create a Hungary which "establishes on a national autonomy basis an open and co- ordinated neighbourly relationship with the Soviet Union on political, military and economic grounds". A Hungary which has a morál obligation to Hungárián nat- íodsŰL minorities living in neighbouring countries and an intention to do away with the reasons fór national hatred. The future aims of the authors of the announcement are to establish a multi-party system pariiamentary democracy internally, a regulated markét which ensures the competition of equal forms of ownership in the economy, autonomous social security institutes which ere separate from the budget and simultaneous guaranteed state benefits and voluntary social aid in the sphere of social affairs. "Network Fór Free Initiatives" announcement ends "Our country can only emerge from the present crisis and reverse the economic decline, the destruction of our natural environment, the population decrease and rising death rate, the deterioration of our physical and spiritual well-being, the misery of an increasing number of social stratas, the disintergration of public health, education and Science, the atrophy of national culture and Hungárián society*s loss of self-respect and solidarity if we start on the right track. We are convinced that the way to approach these historical objectives is to calmly assess current political possibilities and to take peaceful action.'* The announcement was distributed throughout Budapest, its authors issued it at the Hungárián Democratic Fórum meeting on March 21st and it was read out on April 2nd at the Rakpart Club meeting in the Jurta Theatre. Subscribers can use or quote the Hungárián October newsletters in totál or in detail as long as the source is acknowledged.
