William Penn Life, 2002 (37. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
2002-08-01 / 8. szám
Magyar Matters Prime minister faces cross-examination on links to former Communist regime from The Budapest Sun BUDAPEST— The investigations of two Parliamentary committees into the secret service connections of Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Medgyessy and other public officials during the former Communist regime continued to send shockwaves through the Hungarian political scene as more top-level MPs and former cabinet members were implicated. Medgyessy, whose recentlydiscovered role as an Interior Ministry agent during the 1970s and 1980s continues to be investigated, underwent three hours of cross-examination by a committee chaired by opposition Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) MP László Balogh. During the session, Medgyessy denied he had ever had any links with the Soviet KGB during his period as a secret police officer working for Directorate III of the Interior Ministry. Medgyessy, who appeared confident and decisive during the hearing, said his tasks while working as a senior official at the Finance Hungary moves two from The Budapest Sun BUDAPEST — Hungary took another step towards European Union membership by closing two more chapters of the acquis communautaire, the EU's system of regulations. The EU and the Hungarian Foreign Ministry announced the closure of Chapters 20 and 21—the Culture and Audiovisual Policy chapter, which covers advertising and broadcasting rules, and the Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments chapter, which enables members to receive funding for structural projects. According to Alan Bothorel, political counselor and head of the Ministry had mainly entailed the analysis of confidential data relating to Hungary's foreign economic situation. He repeated earlier statements that he had only worked in the interests of Hungary and had worked to protect the country from foreign intelligence influences including those of the KGB. Medgyessy said he did not intend to personally appear again before the committee, but would answer any further questions in writing. After the hearing, Balogh said, "We are now convinced of the need for another hearing, as we detected contradictory aspects to the Prime Minister's statements. A second committee has been investigating current and former cabinet ministers and other top level officials for Communist-era secret service links. It discovered that as many as 30 of the more than 100 individuals under scrutiny could have been involved in intelligence work under the previous regime, said committee chairman Imre Mécs of the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ). steps closer economic and political section at the Delegation of the European Commission to Hungary, there was no dissatisfaction from either side during the negotiations. Hungary is now left with only the Competition, Agriculture, Budget and Institutions chapters to close. According to Bothorel, negotiations on the Competition chapter were making good progress. A common position from the EU members had not yet been decided on the other chapters, he added. Bothorel did not foresee any problems. "Right now I see no reason why Hungary would not be able to close all chapters on time," he said. In Brief 1 Hungarian Embassy to host wine tasting WASHINGTON - The Hungarian Embassy will host a reception featuring Hungarian wine and cuisine Thursday, Sept. 26, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Hungary has been producing excellent wines since Roman times, the best known and admired of which are the sweet, dessert-style Tokay wines. The event, presented by TasteDC.com, will also feature authentic Hungarian foods prepared by Chef Ferenc Toth. The Embassy is located at 3910 Shoemaker St., NW. Cost is $55 per person. For reservations, log onto www.tastedc.com or call 202- 233-8992. Exhibits continue NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - It was 150 years ago that Hungarian hero Louis Kossuth visited America. You can learn more about his remarkable visit by viewing the “Kossuth in America” exhibit on display until Sept. 29 at the Museum of the American Hungarian Foundation. While there, you can also view “From the Old World to the New World-Recent Additions to the Museum Collection.” This exhibit features the work of nine Hungarian immigrants who have been major contributors to the American art scene. This exhibit runs through April 30, 2003. For more information, call 732-846-5777. Have news to share? If you have news about people and events in the American Hungarian community, please share it with us. Call us toll-free at 1-800-848-7366, Ext. 135. Or, send an email to jlovasz@williampennassociation.org. to membership in European Union William tan Life, August/September 2002 11
