Magyar News, 1993. szeptember-1994. augusztus (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1994-07-01 / 11-12. szám
(continued from page 1) diversion barrier removed, river traffic would flow via the original riverbed while the Gabcikovo plant is being repaired. Mr. Lipták had discussed this option with Dr. Milan Zemko and Dr. Pavol Demes of the staff of Slovak President Mikhal Kovac. Both regard this “Compromise Solution” a good base for further negotiations. According to the plan, re-routing of the Danube can be accomplished in a month of low water flow (such as October). Dying Regions The environmental damage on the Szigetköz region on the Hungarian side is manifested on a tragic scale: as the fish died, the birds whose food supply they had provided have disappeared; the wells dried out; the willows have already died, and the rest of the vegetation is in the process of dying off. The Danube’s water level at Lipót is, in spite of therecent heavy rainfall, only 12 inches instead of the normal 13 feet. Analyses of the water show a dramatic increase in the various species of algae and moss. The wetland that has for centuries been the “lungs of the Danube” has become a backwater. While for other countries the river is only used for shipping and irrigation, for Hungary is it also an indirect source of drinking water. If water in the wells along the river become unfit for drinking, the price of potable water in the region may increase tenfold. Pumping or Underwater Dams Pumping water from the 12 inch deep main riverbed into the dry side branches to mitigate the damage does not substantially help the situation on the Hungarian side. The amount of water pumped (132 gallons/ second) is just a tiny fraction of the normal river flow of between 250,000 and2,376,000 gallons per second. Adding more pumps, as well as the alternative of constructing underwater dams would not be economically or environmentally feasible. Available material resources would be better spent on executing the “Compromise Plan” that would result in the restoration of the natural balance in the region. The Dunakiliti facility seems to be in good condition, free from rust and cracks. Under the Compromise Plan it would play an important part in ensuring environmentally safe operation of shipping lanes and the port at Bratislava while making possible the total rehabilitation of the area. In addition, the project would provide thousands of jobs in the region. European Free Zone Once the natural state of the region is restored, it would become part of a “European Free Zone” encompassing adjacent parts of Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Residents of the Zone could move freely within the tri-state region and would be employed in the tourist trade that would spring up in the nature preserve to be created. During the reconstruction of the Gabcikovo dam, the European Union, the main beneficiary of improved shipping lanes - would provide the electricity lost by the temporary outage of generating facilities. When work is complete, shipping would resume in the artificial channel, while most of the water would flow in the original riverbed. Nationwide Demonstration Professor Lipták called for a national demonstration at Gabcikovo in the event the Danube has still not been returned to its original riverbed by October and asked the mayors of towns, directors of schools, factories and other organizations and individual citizens to provide transportation facilities to Gabcikovo. Demonstrators from Budapest will meet on October 22 at 8 am at the Eastern Railroad Terminal. Hungarians and others living in the West interested in helping can donate money for chartering buses to transport demonstrators to Gabcikovo. “You only lose that which you give up, and we don’t intend to give up the Danube.” EVENTS JUNE 26. SUNDAY. GOLDEN JUBILEE of Er. Emeric Szlezak. Following Mass there will be a reception at Santi's Manor. JUNE 26, SUNDAY, St. Ladislaus ANNUAL BUCSU LUNCHEON in Norwalk will take place at the Social Center at 12:30 PM. Rozsika will entertain. Roast pork will be served and they will have traditional Mezes Kalacs. Tickets are $9.00 per person. For reservation call 866-6871 or 866-8619. JULY 3, SUNDAY. The First United Church of Christ celebrating their 100th Anniversary will honor the founders of the century old Hungarian Church. They will attend the Hungarian service as it was customary in the early years. JULY 10, SUNDAY afternoon, starting at 2:00 PM ANNUAL SZALONNA SÜTÉS on the grounds of the United Church of Christ on North Avenue. It is sponsored by the American Hungarian Heritage Association. For $6.00 you will have the szalonna on the stick, bread, vegetables, fire. You do the bacon roasting yourself. They will serve coffee, but you bring your own desert (what you would like to share with others) and also your favorite drink. Have your friends come with you. Reservation is a must. Call: 372-8643, 336-3938 or 377-0569. page 2 JULY 17, SUNDAY, the Calvin United Church of Christ in Fairfield is having the ANNUAL PICNIC from noon to 5:00 PM. Hungarian specialties will be served; stuffed cabbage, goulash, chicken paprikas, also hot dogs and hamburgers. The delicious pastries are made by the ladies. Music by Stan Danielczyk asures a good time. Donation of $5.00 includes $1.00 admission and $4.00 for food. JULY 17. SUNDAY, at 2:00 PM CARD PARTY at Holy Trinity Social Hall. Call: 333-0779. JULY 29, FRIDAY, at the Hungarian Community Hall in Wallingford, MASTERS OF HUNGARIAN FOLK MUSIC, six member instrumental ensemble. (See article) AUG. 7, SUNDAY the annual ST. EMERY PICNIC will be held at Warsaw Park in Ansonia from noon to 6:00 PM. There will be a great selection of delicious Hungarian food and games for the kids. The entertaining music is by Stan Danielczyk. AUG. 14, SUNDAY starting 1:00 PM at the Holy Trinity Social Hall SPECIAL BINGO. For information call: 334-4217.
