The Hungarian Student, 1961
Imre Nagy declares the neutrality of Hungary Imre Nagy, the President of the Council of Ministers of the Hungarian People's Republic and appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, speaks to the Nation : People of Hungary, The Hungarian National Government, imbued by a deep feeling of responsibility towards the Hungarian people and towards history, and expressing the undivided will of the Hungarian nation, declares the neutrality of the Hungarian People’s Republic. The Hungarian people on the basis of independence and equality and in the spirit of the Chart of the United Nations, desires to live in true friendship with its neighbours, the Soviet Union and with all the other nations of the world. The Hungarian people desires the consolidation and development of the achievements of its national revolution, without joining any power block. Through achieving this neutrality, a hope held for many centuries by the Hungarian people will be fulfilled. The revolutionary struggle fought by the Hungarian people and its heroes, has at last carried the cause of freedom and independence to victory. This brave fight has made it possiple for our people to implement in its international relations, our fundamental national interest, neutrality. We appeal to our neighbours and to countries near and far, to respect the irrevocable decision of our people. Now we can truly say that out nation perhaps more than at any other time in its long history, is unanimous in its decision. Working millions of Hungary—protect, strenghthen with revolutionary determination and selfless effort, the consolidation of order in our country—the free, independent, democratic and neutral Hungary. (Free Radio Kossuth, Budapest, November 1st, 1956 19.50 hours). HUNGARIAN URANIUM Symbol of colonial status Listeners to Radio Kossuth of Budapest were surprised by the following announcement on October 22, 1956: “Two universities held student meetings in Budapest. A warm March air blew in the auditorium of the Building Construction Technical University. On the stairs and in the corridors thousands upon thousands of students roared and applauded rejection or approval.” The commentator read several points of the draft resolution “still under consideration”, among them one that was applauded with enthusiasm : “Hungarian- Soviet friendship based on complete equality. Let us review the economic situation of the country in its entirety . . . Let us have more exact information on the use of Hungarian uranium.” Why did the revolution pay such attention to the exploitation and use of the Hungarian uranium ore ? Hundreds of articles and studies in the Communist press had attempted to convince the Hungarian people that Soviet economic relations were most favorable to the Hungarians, that they represented substantial help from the Soviet Union, and that the “magnanimous”, “unselfish” Soviet Union had helped the Hungarian people, even at the price of serious “sacrifices”. Prior to 1953, Communist propaganda expressed this view in superlatives, even in scientific periodicals. After 1953, the tone was less passionate, but the contention still remained. It was a permanent theme that the Hungarian people must be grateful for unselfish Soviet assistance and aid, evidence of “brotherly, socialist assistance”, as opposed to “capitalist exploitation” in international relations. This intensive Communist propaganda, however, yielded the opposite result, for several reasons: 1. The country’s economic situation steadily deteriorated until 1953, with a continuous decline in living standards. As production norms were raised at frequent intervals and industrial output increased, non-Party members and a substantial segment of the Party membership were convinced that this critical situation was the result of unlimited Soviet exploitation, never-ending reparation deliveries, unfavorable economic agreements, and a price-policy that made possible the exploitation of Hungary’s industrial capacity while limiting Hungary’s foreign trade possibilities through Soviet intervention. 2. Although the Soviet-Hungarian economic agreements were not published during the years 1945 to 1948, representatives of the non-Communist parties participating in the coalition government made their provisions public. Thus the public had knowledge of the economic advantages the Soviet Union assured for herself in these agreements. Hungarians were cognizant of the methods by which the representatives of the occupying powers forced these agreements upon the country, and knew of the Communist Party’s overzealousness in carrying out Soviet demands. 3. No specific information was given by the regime about the country’s foreign trade agreements. Statistical publications prior to the revolution were scarce and no one believed the distorted figures made public by the regime. 4. People were convinced that, as the Soviet Union forced her will upon the Hungarian coalition government prior to the Communist coup in 1947, elevation within Party ranks depended primarily on “faithfulness”, that is subservience to the Soviet Union. For these reasons, Hungarians thought that Soviet exploitation of the country was unlimited, and possibly even worse than the situation actually was. The economic subjugation was a constant topic of discussion among the people, and among Communist Party members. Despite precautions, many were arrested to quell potential resentment inside the country. After the thaw in 1953, people began to speak more freely but the question of revising the Soviet-Hungarian trade agreements did not arise until the Spring of 1956 in the economic discussions of the Petőfi Circle, a radical debating forum. Despite the events which occurred in Hungary prior, during and after the revolution, the secret trade agreement between Hungary and the Soviet Union on the use of uranium mined in Hungary continues to be a delicate subject for the regime and the Soviet government. Ac( Continued page 13) 12
