The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1984-10-01 / 10-11. szám

AN “OPEN LETTER” REPLY TO DR. VICTOR W. MOLNÁR

Dear Dr. Molnár:

Your enlightening and constructive criticism of some of the opinions I expressed in my editorial of May, 1984, concerning the National Theatre of Hungary and the reason why I thought that it is unrealistic to believe that Hungary’s form of government can be changed from the outside, appeared as a welcome surprise in the September issue of this magazine. While some members of the Hungarian Press and journalistic spokesmen for the “emigráció”, with whose ideo-political philosophies we sympathize, have leaped to the instantaneous conclusion that, because this magazine is trying to refrain from becoming another one of their “voices” and has dared to commit the journalistic “heresay” of publishing “Travel Hungary” and “News from Hungary”, we may 'be on the payroll of the Hungarian World Federation et al, you, at least, did not resort to libelous demagoguery to score your points. Unlike those, who are disturbed by our editorial policy, you presented your carefully thought out arguments in a reasonable manner and I am delighted to learn that there are still some Hungarian-Americans around who have not interpreted the Fifth Amendment as a license to orchestrate, in print, insulting allegations without substance. Permit me, therefore, to reply to you in kind.

To begin with, I want to make it crystal clear that I do agree with you that “the pros and cons of donating to help finance the cost of a new Hungarian National Theatre in Budapest still remains with each individual who must make the ultimate decision, whether on an emotional or rational basis.” Now, let me explain how this touchy subject erupted in the first place.

I happen to belong to a Hungarian club here in New Jersey. At one of our monthly meetings, a letter from the Hungarian World Federation, soliciting donations to help pay for the construction of a new Hungarian National Theatre, was read. It sparked an uproar. The end result was that those, hwo felt that the cause merited a donation, were labeled “communists” by those who didn’t, while those, who opposed the idea, were labeled “Nazis” and “Fascists” by those who were in favor of making a donation. As it became impossible for reason to prevail, the matter was tabled and is now forgotten. However, I found this kind of attitude among Hungarian-Americans

supportive of their heritage very Page 4

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Paul Pulitzer

disturbing and unrealistic, indeed, and could not help thinking that it was symptomatic of what ails the Hungarian community in America in general. Moreover, since this episode, I have found that it is extremely difficult for Hungarians harboring opposite views to sit down and reason together for the common good of all. “You either think like I do, or you are my enemy” seems to be the prevailing mood.

At any rate, that an agency of the communist government of Hungary reached out for funds from Hungarians living outside of Hungary seemed “newsworthy” to me. So, I made it my business to find out more about the Hungarian World Federation which, I learned, was formed to promote better relations with Hungarians around the world, who either emigrated for economic reasons or “voted with their feet” for political reasons. As it is unprecedented for any Soviet satellite to conduct this kind of global public relations, my journalistic hunch was confirmed. It was “news” and this is the only reason why I made mention of it in my editorial, as well as in “News from Hungary”.

Contrary to what you may think, I, too, have become quite familiar with the background of the Hungarian National Theatre and have picked up the same rumors that you have. I, too, have visited Hungary on several occasions and, in fact, have relatives living there who, by the way, have made frequent trips to the U.S. and have provided me with some insight into what is going on. Suffice to say that the Hungarian National Theatre will be rebuilt with or without donations from Hungarians living outside Hungary.

Yes. I do sincerely believe that, whether we like it or not, there is nothing we can do to effect a change in Hungary’s present system of government. Liberation must come from within by the attrition of time and not from without with guns. For the sake of the Hungarian people and the world’s family of nations, changes in the “spheres of influence” agreed upon at the Yalta Conference must come without World Warr III! Let us also bear in mind that journalistic “breast-beating” over communism in Hungary tends to provide those wily real estate brokers roosting in the Kremlin with more reasons for intransigence and more grist for their misinformation mills! The issue should be kept alive, of course. But this should be the provenance of the Hungarian Press and not of this magazine which reaches out to a different

audience than they do...American-born, bred, and educated Hungarians, who, for the most part, are quite familiar with the nature of communism and need no further “education” about it.

Yes, I agree. As the old proverb says: “as you make your bed, so you must lie on it.” But, and this is a big “but”: the Hungarian people did not make their own bed. They were sold down the river after World War I and World War II. What’s more, their present form of government was imposed upon them, while the Allies, including these United States of America, sat on their hands.

Yes. It is a hard fact that a new generation has come of age in Hungary and, according to such sources as personal interviews, the National Geographic, the New York Times, the Washington Post, TV's “60 Minutes”, and other sources, this new generation - born, bred, and thoroughly indoctrinated - have little desire for violent change. They do, however, hope for open travel and communications with the “Free World” in general and with the U.S. in particular, and employment opportunities providing incentives for advancement. Among them, of course, are those who would “vote with their feet” if they had a chance. This new generation, as well as the one to follow, I think, is our real hope for the future of Hungary.

Yes. We are free to voice our opinion here in America. But our First Amendment is not a license to practice libelous or slanderous demagoguery. Yes. It is true that there is no such thing as “freedom of the press” or “free speech” in Hungary and it is also true that opinions, contrary to the official line, do exist. But, it is also true that, of all of the Soviet satellite nations, Hungary does enjoy a better quality of life and that, today, most Hungarians are more worried about what will happen after Kadar than with anything else.

The most frustrating problem we have confronting us here in America, it seems, is that because we American-born Hungarians do not think like Hungarians in the “emigráció”, it is difficult to come to a meeting of the minds. Worst yet, it is almost impossible to sit down and reason together without generating implacable animosity. Be this as it may, however, their target, I think, should not be Hungary. It should be the Soviets, who still have more than 40,000 troops on Hungarian soil and who are not about to “let our people go”!

Eighth Hungarian Tribe