Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1989. január-június (43. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1989-04-20 / 16. szám
Thursday, April 20. 1989. 11. The year 1948, when the process of socialist transformation began in Hungary, has been regarded by many historians as the great turning point in the country's post-war history. Nowadays 1988 is held by many to be an equally important milestone since far-reaching reforms have hit the country in several important spheres: democracy has undergone a facelift, the country's economy has been streamlined, the entire system of political institutions has taken its fledgling steps. TOWARDS DEMOCRACY For Hungarians, the signs are clear: a transformation has started that involves the whole system of political institutions. Several facts have made the changes evident: the Constitution is being reexamined; the bill concerning the right of assembly and association has been accepted by Parliament, the bill on the electoral law has been drafted and made public, the elaboration of various other important provisions of law is under way, while some others have already been submitted to Parliament and are likely to have come into force by the time this article is published. The trade union movement, the Youth League, the Patriotic People's Front and other social organizations and movements have also started to reform their activities. Consequently, a new openness and growing democracy in public life is unfolding in Hun-- gary, allowing freer expression and a confrontation of different interests and views. These processes have been amply dealt with and quite favorably commented on by the foreign press, including Western European and US publications. PUBLIC OPINION - PUBLIC FEELING Public opinion in Hungary is generally convinced that we are up against a longer process which will not show effective results for many years to come. The fact that the public, or rather some of its sections, look on the new phenomena almost uncom- prehendingly is nothing to be surprised at. Presently it is the state of the economy, which is by no means satisfactory, that determines public mood most decisively, and which is apt to create tension. Though generally speaking no one is left unscathed by the effects of the economic situation, the social strata worst hit by the falling standard of living are young people starting out in life or starting a family and old age pensioners. The truth of the matter is that a negative economic process has been unfolding for the last fifteen or so years but the government failed to assess the situation correctly and therefore did not take the appropriate measures. A massive accumulation of economic problems has been the result. It became absolutely evident a year and a half ago just how wrong the country's earlier economic policy had been, and after some personal changes in the political leadership last May, the systematic treatment of the country's economic malady could begin in earnest. PARTY MEMBERSHIP Changes in the internal life of the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party, the leading force in the country's political life, also reflect certain modifications in the general public mood; in the course of the recently carried out revalidation of membership cards, 73.000 people, amounting to 8.3 percent of the total party membership, withdrew, albeit mostly elderly, who are no longer able or willing to meet the financial obligations of being a party member. The number of party members still tops the 800.000 mark, but the drop in membership illucidates an important lesson, i.e. it is the first time in over three decades that more people have left the party than entered its ranks. NEW ORGANIZATIONS Even before the bill on the right of assembly was passed, many new organizations vwere formed, among others, the Democratic Forum, the Union of Free Democrats and the Organization of Young Democrats. They have expressly stated that only a multiparty system can ensure a correct political life. The Hungarian Socialist Workers Party has recently accepted this view, declaring that the party stands for free elections on the basis of a multiparty system. It has been pointed out that in some socialist countries there are various political parties, so there are differing forms of political pluralism. The HSWP has encouraged and continues to encourage the process of democratization which has created favorable conditions for seeking different alternative paths. As a result certain intellectual and political associations have been formed with an ideology different from that of the HSWP. The party wishes to have principled relations and is ready to cooperate with organizations which function legally and accept the constitution.!. Party members are at liberty to enter any of these organizations, one of which is the New March Front, founded by 19 prominent personalities like Rezső Nyers, one of the reform-minded leaders of the HSWP, and Miklós Vásárhelyi, spokesman for former Prime Minister Imre Nagy, who spent years in jail. Some of the new organizations stand on a different ideological footing than the HSWP. But as long as their political program is not directed against socialism, the HSWP is ready to maintain dialogue with them. But does not wish to have political contacts with organizations that challenge the whole socialist set-up and the basic values of socialism. HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT AND POLITICS One of the cardinal issues of domestic policy has been the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Danube between Vienna and Budapest, along the Czechoslovak and Hungarian borders. This power station, which is to produce electricity from the mid-nineties, was first criticized only How would you like to spend three weeks in a magnificent city: Budapest, explore the rich legacy of 20th century music (particularly the music of Bartók, Kodály,etc.) and earn three college credits at the same time? The opportunity is yours through the auspices of Slippery Rock University (in western Pennsylvania). Dr. Nanatte Kaplan Solomon, concert pianist, and Professor of Music at the University is offering "Twentieth Century Music" in Budapest this summer from July 24 to August 14. Dr. Solomon holding degrees from Yale College, Yale School of Music, and Boston University, has concertized extensively, including performances in Salzburg, Austria and London. She has previously taught in Florence, Italy, through Slippery Rock University. The Budapest program is in its fifth successful year of operation. Participants will take classes and live at the modern University of Physical Education on the Buda side of the city. The course will be conducted in English, and is open to any college student or interested adult. No reading of music is necessary. The inclusive cost of the program (tuition, airfare, room, board, and a trip to beautiful Lake Balaton) is only $ 1,985 per person. For information and applications contact: Dll. Nanatte Kaplan Solomon, Music Dept. Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa. 16057. Telephone: (412) 794-7276. by environmental protection groups, but later became the target of practically all the organizations and prominent personalities of the political opposition. Understandably the plan for this power giant, for which the contract was signed between Hungary and Czechoslovakia in the mid-seventies, did not receive due publicity, in fact, the former government intended as it were to perfectuate the plan without involving the public. One reason the hydroelectric power plant has provoked much fury is because its construction entails considerable investment in these economically difficult times. Those who oppose it demand that the site be restored to its original state, something that - according to the government - would a- mount to irresponsible folly, as it would cost more than the completion of the remaining work. AUSTRIAN PARTICIPATION Another fact that can't be overlooked is that neighboring Austria, or a number of Austrian companies, plays a distinguished role in this gandiose undertaking. In return for their work the plant is to supply electricity to Austrian communities when the project is completed. Some Austrian environmental protection groups have joined in the movement against the power plant, organizing rallies together with their Hungarian friends both in Vienna and Budapest. One such sizeable protest march in Budapest had tens of thousands of participants gather outside Parliament. To be continued AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZO INSIDE HUNGARY Three weeks in Budapest
