1988. 1988.05.10. Interjú Kádár Jánossal / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
removal of the Soviet troops? KADAR: In my opinion, there is exclusively an International reason fór the stationing of Soviet troops in Hungary. The question has already been raised. The Warsaw Pact [signatories] have officially proposed the withdrawal of all forces stationed abroad. Our opinions are alsó included in this [proposal]. There is no internál reason fór Soviet troops being stationed here, there are only intemational reasons... MCLAUGHLIN: No internál reasons? KADAR: There are no internál reasons. There have been complex times during which I have even been held back from taking more finn steps by the fact that Soviet troops are here. I don't like the child who is brave standing behind his grandmother's skirt. MCLAUGHLIN: You keep the Soviet troops out of sight. They're nőt around Budapest. They're out of sight. KADAR: They do nőt involve themselves in the internál affairs of Hungary. MCLAUGHLIN: Has Gorbachev suggested that the troops be withdrawn? KADAR: The official proposals of the Warsaw Pact are here to the effect that troops stationed in foreign countries be withdrawn, bút this can only be done together. MCLAUGHLIN: Sixty-four thousand troops is a lót of troops. That was the number of troops that were in ... Afghanistan, and one would think that Gorbachev wishes to reduce his military spending, correct? KADAR: I don't understand the question, bút Hungary is Hungary, and Afghanistan is Afghanistan. I welcome the Afghanistani decision, because that was a courageous one on the part of the Soviet Union. Hungary depends on European relationships, European balance of power, on the issue of Soviet troops stationed here. And that issue is being investigated, if a change is possible. There is no internál Hungárián reason fór them being here. MCLAUGHLIN: Would you predict that 10 years from now there will be no Soviet troops here? KADAR: I hope that relations in Europe will develop in such a manner that there will be no need fór them. /to-13-
