Szittyakürt, 1977 (16. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1977-12-01 / 12. szám

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDITION OF

«ITTVAKÖfcf

VOL. III. No. 3. OCTOBER 23, 1977

Official publication of the

Revolutionary Council of the

HUNGÁRIA FREEDOM FIGHTER MOVEMENT

UNITED HUNGARIAN APPEAL TO PRESIDENT CARTER

On April 4, 1977, the Hungária Freedom Fighter Movement submitted an official appeal to U.S. President James E. Carter for Emergency Economic Aid to the Hungarian people of Transylvania, who are living under Romanian occupation and oppression. The text of the appeal was published in the July, 1977, issue of the Fighter. Since that time numerous correspondence has taken place between the executive branch of the U.S. Government and the H.F.F.M. The U.S. official response was that the matter is “carefully being reviewed by responsible Department of State officers.”

On August 28 a United Hungarian Appeal was drafted to present a joint petition of Hungarian cultural, social, religious, economic, educational, professional, and poli-Representative DANTE FASCELL (D.Fla.), the chairman of the US Helsinki Commission and Mr. Louis F. Molnár exchanging views on HUMAN RIGHTS on Sept. 23, 1977. in the RAYBURN House Office Building.

tical organizations. Already close to two hundred Hungarian organizations joined our effort and sent in their appeal undersigned, stamped, and dated. In addition to these Hungarian organizations, an individual petition drive had been started whereby thousands of Hungarian-Americans will have the opportunity to express their appeal directly through a Presidential Petition card. The petition drive will carry on through October and November. According to present plans, the United Hungarian Appeal will be submitted to President Carter before the end of 1977.

Based on past experiences, many Hungarians believe a mass demonstration in Washington, D.C. may be necessary in order to cut through the White House curtain to get the President’s personal attention to this vital problem of all Hungarians!

Is President Carter’s Human Rights Campaign a commitment or political posture?

When we asked this questions, we found that Hungarians have different opinions on this matter. However, they all agreed that it remains to be seen whether the human rights issue is equally applied to all ethnic groups or it becomes the privilege for special interest groups.

The appeal for Emergency Economic Aid for the Hungarians of Transylvania presents a historic opportunity for the President to prove his stand on human rights in action.

Where does President Carter stand on human rights?

The best way to eximine that question is to review some of the historic documents and the official rhetoric which revolves around Human Rights. The United States is a charter member of the United Nations, since being ratified on July 28, 1945. Since that time every American President has been committed to uphold the Charter of the United Nations, which spells out clearly and explicitly the issue of human rights. The puiposes in Article 1, Section 3. of the Charter of the United Nations states:

“To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems oj an economic, social, cultural or humanitarial character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedom for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion."

On March 17, 1977 President Carter took a personal stand on the Human Rights issue in his message at the United Nations when he said:

“The search for peace and justice also means respect for human dignity. All the signatories of the UN Charter have pledged themselves to observe and to respect basic human rights. Thus, no member of the United Nations can claim that mistreatment of its citizens is solely its own business. Equally, no member can avoid its responsibilities to review and to speak when torture or unwarranted deprivation occurs in any part of the world.

The basic thrust of human affairs points toward a more universal demand for fundamental human rights. The United States has a historical birthright to be associated with this process.

We in the United States accept this responsibility in the fullest and the most constructive sense. Ours is a commitment and not just a political posture. I know perhaps as well as anyone that our own ideals in the area of human rights have not always been attained in the United States, but the American people have an abiding commitment to the full realization of these ideals. And we are determined, therefore, to deal with our deficiencies quickly (Continued on page 2)

LET US SHARE IN THE STRUGGLE

Dear Reader, Brother and Sister:

You have read the Fighter, the official English language publication of the Hungária Freedom Fighter Movement, for some time now. We are sure you have learned from it and have advanced by it, even though at times you have had doubts about what we have promoted and said, which direction our policy progressed. But whatever way we said it — and will continue to say it—we aimed to get through to you the message that is most dear to us redblooded Magyars—which is the LOVE of our cradle and our grave: our beloved MOTHER

LAND that our God gave to our Ancestors!

The more you think about it and the more you dare to allow your natural instincts to serve you, the sooner will you also find in the depth of your heart a bit of room for concause and fulfillment of our mission? As you look into the mirror the next time you shave or comb your hair also look into your own two eyes and ask yourself: “What have you done lately for your Country, People, Culture, for your Magyar Brothers and Sisters, for Their and Your Children— Your Own Blood—for Yourself?”

Can you honestly say that you have moved a finger—one single finger—for Magyar Unity, Survival, and Advancement? Have you written to us yet? Have you told us how you feel? Did you share your Constructive ideas with us so that we may all serve better? Have you dared to ask us yet. . . “just how much and what can I do to work with you, to aid you, to struggle and sweat with you?” —as the minutes and days of

cem and even for sacrifice in behalf of your ancient land —the Magyar Haza! You, too, will come to see our point of view because it is also your view. You, too, will agree on the direction of the political, ideological and religious life that we must lead as Magyars, because that is your life also.

We believe that everyone of us are lay persons when it comes to serving our Nation — yet we must serve with the intelligence of the professional, and with the zeal of the evangelist.

Magyar Brother and Sister, can there be any misunderstanding about the question of our Basic Survival? Can there be any doubt about the importance of the continuation of a tradition that our forefathers left for us many thousands of years ago?

Can we be so ignorant and careless as to pull apart rather than work together in unity — All Magyars as One— for the advancement of our

history are flying by like gloomy clouds over the Carpaths and the Danube-Tisza Regions.

We do ask you and we have been asking you to read Us: the Fighter and the Szittyakürt and promote our word and work because it is also yours. Have you convinced your friends and relations that they might also subscribe? These papers are not made of air. They are of honest-togoodness paper, ink, a lot of sweet, and sleepless nights . . . Oh, yes! 5$$! Envelopes and stamps, too!

What have you done? What can you do? What will you do in the service of your own kind who have heroicly died for you and for me in selfless sacrifice on October 23, 1956. Many of you were there and you have seen and many of you have fought as we have fought on the streets of Budapest, Győr, Szeged, Debrecen, Pécs . . . Many died fighting —sacrificing their ultimate. Some of us survived so that we may