1988. 1988.05.10. Interjú Kádár Jánossal / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
all. MCLAUGHLIN: Let me ask you this historical question before I ask you about Soviet troops in Hungary. You were involved of course in the transition in '56. Essentially involved with the ambassador from the Soviet Union, Mr. Andropov, whose protege is Mr. Gorbachev. Bút historians have wondered where you where on four days — November 1 to November 4 — and there is speculation that you might have been... KADAR: I was in Budapest and at Szolnok... MCLAUGHLIN: You what... KADAR: ...At Budapest and Szolnok. Budapest and Szolnok. MCLAUGHLIN: Here? You were conferring with the Soviets. You were nőt at Uzhgorod? KADAR: I had various intemational discussions as well in the meantime, since the step we had taken required certain intemational agreement, which had to be obtained. Fór this reason, there were indirect and direct discussions with the whole, known socialist world at the time. And the steps which were being planned were supported by the Soviet Union, China and President Tito. Read his speech made at Pula after November 4. MCLAUGHLIN: Today, the Soviet Union has 64,000 troops in Hungary. Do you think that's a good idea? KADAR: I'll teli you something about Soviet troops, in connection with '56. That situation in 1956 was an exceptionally complicated one, nőt only from the point of view of domestic society, in which many things were mixed up, bút alsó intemationally as well. Last autumn I read, and I don't want to name the person, although it was nőt just anybody in the United States, that is I read his statement that he knew that the idea of military intervention was raised in 1956, bút the decision was nőt to do this. According to him, this was a mistaken decision. I'm only mentioning this to you so that you will understand what the situation was like here at the time. I have said this before in public that I wish that Soviet and American troops never ever meet anywhere as enemies in battle. Bút as a Hungárián, I desired the least that they come intő conflict on Hungárián soil in 1956, and that was the reason that a quick move had to be made, and the help all the Soviet forces had to be solved, in my opinion. MCLAUGHLIN: Would you like to see a timetable fór the «-12-
