Hungarian American Coalition News, 1999 (8. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
1999 / 1. szám
needy. If you are interested in this program, or have any questions regarding UW Hungary, please contact Kristin Faurest, Executive Director, United Way Hungary, H-1026 Budapest, Filler u. 47/A, HUNGARY. Phone:(011 36 1) 316-3241 Fax:(011 36 1)316-2619 E-mail: uwhun@c3.hu IN & OUT OF WASHINGTON Speech of Mr. Eduard Kukán, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia at the International Republican Institute, Washington, DC On January 22, 1999 the speech by Mr. Kukán reflected the new tone of the coalition government which in September of 1998 took over from the government headed by Mr. Meciar. The Foreign Minister underscored Slovakia’s desire to join NATO and to build good neighborly relations with the Visegrad countries. He expressed his hope that the NATO Washington Summit will not only confirm its open-door policy, but will also send a positive message to the Slovak Republic in response to the changes in the Slovak political scene. Kukán pointed out that the political atmosphere in Slovakia after the September elections has changed. He mentioned the fact that the Hungarian minority got representation in the new Slovak government, which is a positive sign of a more democratic government coalition. He hopes that this fact is viewed by many abroad as a clear indication of the government’s intentions to pursue a more democratic policy towards its minorities. Letters from members of National Committee of Hungarians in Slovakia to the Prime Minister of Hungary Members of the National Committee of Hungarians from Slovakia, sent letters to Mr. Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, urging the Hungarian government to insist in demanding rectification from their Slovak counterparts of the illegally diverted Danube into Slovak territory by the authorities of Czechoslovakia in 1992. The writers of the letters emphasized that the diversion of the Danube was declared wholly illegal by the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The ruling of the International Court, noted the authors of the letters, does not allow room for any interpretation in favor of a partial or negotiated diversion of the Danube, an international boundary between Slovakia and Hungary. SOME FACTS ABOUT THE COALITION The Hungarian American Coalition is a not-for-profit 50103 tax-exempt organization, registered in Washington, D.C. on August 20, 1991. OUR MISSION: The Coalition was established to mobilize and coordinate the talents and resources of its members and to promote the interests of Hungarian-Americans. OUR GOALS 1. To identify and promote the concerns and interests of the Hungarian-American community; 2. To foster interest and appreciation in the United States for the history, education, and culture of Hungary, including its literature, arts, and scientific achievements; 3. To encourage cultural and educational interaction between the people of the United States and Hungary; 4. To protect and preserve the human and minority rights and cultural heritage of Hungarians throughout the world; 5. To support democratic institutions and economic development in Hungary. ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP: The Coalition consists of organizational and individual members and operates in accordance with its Articles and Bylaws, under direction of its Board of Directors. (These documents are provided upon request).______________________________________________________________________________ Newsletter editor: Janos Szekeres Graphic Designer: Patricia Olsavszky. We are grateful to all those who contributed articles or information to this Newsletter. "Nothing printed here is to be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any legislation before the Congress of the United States or any other legislative body in the U.S. or abroad."______ 6 • Hungarian American Coalition • Winter 1999
