William Penn Life, 2004 (39. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-12-01 / 12. szám
Hungarian Parliament rejects proposal to extend troops’ mission in Iraq Magyar Matters HUNGARY'S PARLIAMENT voted to overrule a government proposal to keep the country's 300-strong military contingent in Iraq until March 31, 2005. Accordingly, the troops should return to Hungary from their base south of Baghdad by Dec. 31, the day when the original mandate expires. Following the parliament vote, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány told national radio that his government was considering sending troops back to Iraq, but this time under NATO command. NATO is planning to set up a training center in Iraq and "we are also consulting [about sending] a non-combat training unit smaller than the current [Hungarian] contingent," he said. Participation in NATO missions does not require parliamentary approval. The Socialist-led coalition government's proposal would have required two-thirds majority approval in parliament. However, the motion received only 191 votes in favor and 159 against in the 386-member from The Budapest Sun Leading opposition party Fidesz has called for a parliamentary committee to investigate the ongoing paprika scandal. Socialist (MSzP) MP Sándor Magda, head of the party's agricultural policy group, said there is no need for a parliamentary committee, but did add that all those responsible should be severely punished. However, Márta Mátrai, Fidesz MP, is insisting that Hungarians have the right to know why the government took no action in August when authorities discovered 60 tons of Spanish and Brazilian paprika had been contaminated with the poisonous aflatoxin. That discovery prompted a health scare and ban on paprika. legislature. Prior to the vote, Defense Minister Ferenc Juhasz said that a decision to withdraw the troops before Iraq's scheduled January elections would "have serious consequences because those who pay attention to us will not be happy if we abandon our mission unilaterally". Calling a troop withdrawal prior to March "irresponsible politics", Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány argued that "we need three months to be able to say that we kept our word, that the sacrifices made by 300 Hungarian soldiers made sense. We need 90 days ... so we can be proud to say that Hungary does not abandon its allies". The Conservative opposition, however, insisted that extending the mission would require a clear mandate from the United Nations. Hungary has lost one soldier in Iraq. According to recent polls, some 54 percent of the public want the soldiers to return before the end of this year. At the same time a spokesman for NNI, the Hungarian equivalent of the FBI, said that interviews with three executives from paprika processing group Kalocsai Fűszerpaprika Rt are underway. The NNI also said house searches were carried out in connection with the company on charges of "marketing an unsafe consumable product." Radio reports said that the managers had allowed the imported paprika to be mixed with the Hungarian product without waiting for final laboratory tests. The national health supervising body ÁNTSz is investigating its paprika division, but CEO Sándor Bartos had ordered a freeze on further information until the final results are released. Ha mMp Hw Inarttn NaawMi feiiiaties seMiran its i«ti Maltütan Since 1955, the American Hungarian Foundation (AHF) has successfully preserved and promoted the great historic, artistic and cultural heritage of Hungarians in America. As the Foundation marks its 50th anniversary in 2005, you can help ensure that the AHF will be able to continue its important work for years to come by joining the WPA in financially supporting the AHF. Please send your tax-deductible donation, made payable to “William Penn Association Foundation” to: William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Please note on your check that your donation is intended for the AHF. Euro Parliament slow on Vojvodina from The Budapest Sun The European Parliament has still not sent any fact-finding mission to investigate alleged “atrocities” against the Hungarian minority living in the Vojvodina region of Serbia-Montenegro, according to Hungarian news agency MTI. The reports cited the complaint of Socialist party memberss who argued that nothing has been done, despite Parliament having approved a resolution on the issue in September of this year. At the UN in October, foreign ministry undersecretary Gábor Brodi said that Hungary is concerned that the number of incidents affecting non-Serb minorities in Vojvodina, including Hungarians, is rising. A monitoring body or the appointment of a special UN rapporteur is necessary, he said. Calls made for official investigation into ongoing paprika scandal Williu Pen Life, December 2004 9
