Fáklyaláng, 1971. január-október (12. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1971-10-23 / 10. szám
2 FÁKLYALÁNG Welcome József Cardinal Mindszenty It was not without emotions that we welcomed the news of the arrival of Cardinal Mindszenty in Rome. His cross is not lighter for he could not choose freedom as we did. He merely changed his exile of conscience to an exile of duty. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1956 RADIO FREE KOSSUTH 2100 “Cardinal Mindszenty, Archbishop of Esztergom and Prince Primate of Hungary, will speak to the whole world and to the Hungarian people: “ ‘Nowadays it is often emphasized that the speaker breaking away from the practices of the past is speaking sincerely. I cannot say this. I need not break with my past. By the grace of God, I am the same as I was before my imprisonment. I stand by my convictions physically and spiritually intact, just as I was eight years ago, though prison has tired me sorely.... “ ‘There is no country which in the course of its thousand years of history has suffered more than we have. Hungarians have had to wage incessant struggles for our independence, mostly in defense of the Western countries- These struggles interrupted the continuity of our development and we always had to rise again by our own efforts. In the course of history this is the first occasion that Hungary has enjoyed the sympathy of all other civilized nations. We are deeply moved by this, and every member of our small nation is joyous in his heart that, because of our love of liberty, the nations have taken up its cause. . . . “ ‘Yet we, even in our extremely grave situation, hope that we have no enemies, for we are the enemies of no one- We want to live in friendship with all people and all countries.... We Hungarians want to live and progress as the standard-bearers of the family of peaceful European nations. We want to live in a spirit of friendship with all the people of Europe and not on the basis of an artificially-created friendship. And turning our eyes toward more distant parts, we, a small nation, want to live in friendship, in undisturbed, peaceful and mutual esteem with the great United States, as well as the powerful Russian Empire, and in good-neighborly relations with Prague, Bucharest, Warsaw and Belgrade. In this regard I must refer to Austria as a country enshrined in the heart of every Hungarian for the brotherly understanding shown during the suffering of our present process of maturing. “ ‘Our position and future now depend on what the Russian Empire, consisting of 200 million persons, intends to do regarding its military forces within our frontiers. Radio reports say that this military force is increasing. We are neutral. We did not give the Russian Empire cause for bloodshed. But has the idea ever occurred to the leaders of the Russian Empire that we would respect the Russian people far more if they did not oppress us? “ ‘Usually it is the attacked that hurls himself against the enemy. However, we did not attack Russia, and we sincerely hope that Russia will withdraw her armed forces from Hungary soon. “ ‘As a result of the above-mentioned struggle, all work and production has stopped throughout the country, making our internal situation all the more critical-It is a nation worn to the bone that fought for its liberty. We are facing starvation. Work, production and restoration must immediately be resumed for our own sake as well as for the nation. This is essential if the nation is to continue to live. Everyone in the country must know that this fight was not a revolution, but a fight for freedom. “ ‘In 1945, after a lost, and for us, a pointless war, a regime was forced on us which now disgusts its heirs and they condemn it wholeheartedly. This regime was swept away by the entire Hungarian people, and its heirs should not ask for a proof of this. With the younger generation at the head of the nation, the fight for freedom will remain unparalleled throughout the world. This fight was fought because the nation wanted to be free to decide how it was to live, to work, and to run the State- The people themselves will not permit the dictortion of this fact to the advantage of unauthorized powers for hidden motives. “ ‘Now we need general elections, free from abuses, in which all parties can nominate candidates. The elections should be held under international supervision. “ T am, and will remain, independent of any party, and because of my office, above it. I take advantage of my authority to warn every Hungarian not to give way to party strife and disagreement after these days of beautiful unity. Our country needs many things, but it does not need many parties and party leaders- The nation’s existence and daily bread, not politics, is our main worry. “ ‘Personal revenge must be avoided and eliminated. Those who have participated in the fallen regime are responsible for their activities, omissions and defaults. If things proceed deently and according to promises made, my task will not be to make accusations. “ ‘However, I must stress that we have a classless society and a State where law prevails. We support private ownership which is rightly and justly limited by social interests. This is the wish of the Hungarian people. “ ‘As head of the Hungarian Roman Catholic Church I declare. . .that we do not oppose the justified development of our country. We only desire that this development should be sound....’” (Excerpts from “The Revolt in Hungary Issue”) FÁKLYALÁNG HUNGARIAN TORCHLIGHT A Monthly Review of Hungarian Issues EDITOR: MIHÁLY HÓKA P.O. Box 249, Gracie Station New York, N. Y. 10028
