1988. június (138-158. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
fiiam £ . Editor: Gyflrgy Kr»»»6 • 24/D Llttle Rusoell Street • London. WC1A 2HN • Tel. 01-430 2126 (írom abroad 441-430 2126) 151/1938 (E) ISth Juné, 1988 p >, The Hungárián Democratic Opposition*s Statement About the Police Brutality on June l6th A long interview appeared in this moming’s issue of Magyar Hírlap (Hungárián News)- the govemment’s paper - entitled "The Background of the Police Report. What Happened in the City on Thursday Aftemoon?". The anonymous "conpetent Authorities" of the Ministry of the Interior blarae the events on the opposition groups which have gained strength and - allegedly - "use the present economic and social tension as an excuse to abandon their previous passive behaviour which was more in keeping vith the situation**, It alsó states that police spoke to the organisers and that they had promised to try and stop the domonstrations bút that they did nőt keep their promise. On the events by the Sanctuary- Lamp it said that Gábor Demszky - a well-known figure in the opposition - had quarrelled vith a police officer who had acted in self-defence after Demszky had beaten him. Accordir.g to the article 15 people were arrested and the "50-100 crowd" dispersed "without further arrests". The philosopher Gáspár Miklós Tamás telephoned the Hungárián October Information Centre and said he knev nothing of these promises and that on Wednesday he vas visited by detectives and he understood írom them that they vould nőt interfere as long as the commemorations were peaceful and quick. Gáspár Miklós Tamás could nőt make his speech as he vas pinned down and tear gas was sprayed in his.eyes. This, he said, characterises the cowardly and brutal action of the police throughout the day. The new leadership reform party wing - if it exists - should take steps and máké a statement to distance itself from the events if it is ever to be believed. Rezső Nyers has said that the Political Committee will be many coloured and speák vith many voices. We are waiting fór these voices - finishes Gáspár Miklós Tamás. János Kis,the editor of Beszélő (The Talker), said "If the authorities do nőt realise that such action reduces their influence and only makes the situation worse, then we must fear the consequences". Gábor Fodor, one of the spokespeople fór the Young Democrats Alliance, said tha actions were an "unprecedented example of brutal police action". Tamás Molnár a member of INC0NNU stressed the criminal responsibility of ^ the West: the police were equipped with Japanese motorbikes, French water cannons and West Germán equipment. Yesterday evening the YDA’s spokespeople issued a declaration:"The,reformist* new Hungárián leadership has introduced itself to the people with police terror, the like of which has nőt been seen fór years. On behalf of the Hungárián independent groups, unions and alliances and all good villed Hungárián citizens we protest against the brutal violence. We call upon world opinion to protest with us. We call upon the govemments of Western Europe to officially call to account the Hungárián government’s promises, nőt to believe propaganda which promises change. The authorities have now pro ved that fór the time being its striving fór consensus is only words, that in reality V truncheons and tear gas are the two means of paving the vay fór development." Finally this declaration - with the approach of Karoly Grósz’s visit to America in mind - askfl • American govemment "to raise this trampling of humán rights, which recall the darkest days of the fifties." A4 ' ' I Subscribers can use or quote the Hungárián October newsletters in totál or in detai! as long as the source is acknowledged. J I
