Hirünk a Világban, 1955 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1955-05-01 / 5-7. szám
16 Hírünk a Világban OUR REPUTATION IN THE WORLD English Summary By Géza B. Grosschmid, Duquesne University Professor Géza Teleki (Washington) continuing his series that commenced in omlást issue, writes about the formation of a temporary Hungarian government. On November 6, 1944, with the greater part of Hungary already under Russian occupation, a detailed agreement was reached at Molotov’s quarters in the Kremlin between the Hungarian representatives and the Russians. The Hungarians present were: the three delegates of Regent Horthy, General Faraghó, Envoy Szent-Iványi, and Professor Teleki; Generals Miklós and Vörös, who escaped to Russian territory after the miscarriage of the cease-fire order of Horthy. The Russians were: Molotov, Ambassador Dekanozov, and Assistant Chief of Staff Kuznetzov. According to this agreement, a temporary government was to be formed in Debrecen, under the premiership of General Miklós. The Hungarian group, having repeatedly refused Molotov’s offer to negotiate with the Russian-naturalized Hungarian Communists, would not be permitted to return to Hungary. Instead, the Russians sent two Communists, Ernő Gerő and Imre Nagy, by plane to Hungary to assess the situation. In the meantime, two Hungarian military officers arrived in Moscow, who were supposed to bring by plane several leaders of the Hungarian Resistance Movement. The latter, however, for undisclosed reasons, failed to sow up at the airport. According to these officers, the Resistance Movement had already designated the members of the new Hungarian government, namely: Bajcsy-Zsilinszky, Tildy, Kéthly, Szakasits, Rassay, and two Hungarian Communists: Kállai and Somogyi. The Moscow delegation notified the Soviet government, but received no reply. On December 5, in the office of General Kuznetzov, Gero handed a list of cabinet members to the Hungarian delegation. This list was identical with the one later „elected’' at Debrecen. The Hun^ garian delegates asked for time to consider the suggestion. The decisive negotiations started on December 6, at 2:30 a. m. at Molotov’s quarters. Molotov began by saying that he was „happy to hear that the gentlemen accepted the proposals re the new government.” Afterwards he personnally and individually asked the Generals and Teleki (Szent-Iványi did not attend because of illness) wether they would be willing to take part in the new government. Teleki refused. Inasmuch as the Soviet government had good reasons for insisting that Teleki participate in the government, Molotov accepted Teleki’s proposal that public functionaries, representatives of the different churches, and university professors should also be eligible to be called into the provisory national assembly. Molotov told Teleki: „It is your businness whether or not you participate in the government. But if you don’t, then we shall have to solve the problem our own way.” Because of this remark, Teleki accepted membership in the new government. Gerő and Imre Nagy, also present, were not even asked by Molotov whether they accepted to participate. On December 7, all six delegates returned to Hungary by train. Only Szent-Iványi was retained in Moscow, under the pretext that he would be the liaison officer to the Debrecen govenrment, and la-^ ter on the new Hungarian Minister to Moscow. The real reason was that the Russians were afraid that he might organize resistance against the Soviets in Hungary. HÍRÜNK A VILÁGBAN r Hungarian Bimonthly Szerkeszti : Csicsery-Rónay István Megjelenik kéthavonta. Szerkesztőség és kiadó : P. 0. BOX 1005, WASHINGTON 13 D. C. U. S. A.
