1988. 1988.05.10. Interjú Kádár Jánossal / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2

are different moods. I'd like to say the following: I used to live as a working mán, and I had political convictions, and I lived according to these in a capitalist system. I never had any ambitions of becoming a professional politician. Fór many decades, I have taken part in the public life of society, in the life of the Party, in trade unions. I have always been assigned greater tasks than those within my personal ambitions. These were always bigger. That is my personal opinion about this. You are right, you have heard correctly,

I did turn to the Central Committe 16 years ago, at the time I reached the retirement age contained in Hungárián laws, and I asked to be relieved of my duties, without having had any psychological problems. At that time, the Central committee decided, no, that I should carry on my work. This is what happened, and anywhere, at anytime, I will be ready to pass on my duties, if in their judgment, they feel that it is time to do that.

MCLAUGHLIN: You mean if the party judges it's time.

KADAR: What do you mean the Party? Have you ever talked to eight hundred and forty thousand people? How can you know what the party decides? It has a superior grémium, and if there the decision is made, then I will be happy to give up my position.

MCLAUGHLIN: One final question on this point. Is it

true that you have an understanding with other leaders in the party that you will step down in 1990 bút that you will continue through this period to guide the course of political reform. Is that true?

KADAR: There is no agreement of any kind. There's no

agreement of any kind with anyone. Once, I talked to an American ambassador, nőt the current one, who asked me who my successor woxrld be. I told him that there was no designated successor, and that I would nőt say anything on that subject, because if [in such a situation] it appears that a person cannot be removed frora such a position, then his designated successor would be attacked. Whereupon the individual laughed, and said that he hadn't even thought of that.

MCLAUGHLIN: My understanding from what you have said is

that you do nőt intend to submit your resignation at the Party conference.

KADAR: Fór me, personally, this does nőt create any kind

of a problem. I am only interested in the cause. Only the cause interests me. If a judgment is, on my part as well as of those who have jurisdiction in this matter, that [I] serve better in this matter by passing on the work, then I will do so with great relief. I am only interested in the cause, and-3V