1988. június (138-158. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
Lte^iaSl5^a ©m£ , Editor: György Krassó * 24/D Little Russell Street * London. WC1A 2HN * Tel. 01-430 2126 (írom abroad 441-430 2126) 146/1988 (E) 13th June, 1988 The Netvork Fór Free Initiatives* Conference On Sunday - June 12th - the Netvork Fór Free Initiatives held its first national conference in the Jurta Theatre; the Netvork determined its aim to co-crdinate the vork of independent democratic movements. The authorities made several attespts to prevent the meeting - one of the spokespeople fór the Netvork vas threatened and they tried to persuade the manager of the Jurta to postpone the programme by offering him an allovance - and most of the invitations did nőt reach their destinations, hov- ever more than 700 people gathered at 10 am fór the one-day conference. \ The Netvork pitched a tent in front of the theatre vhere different independent presses, \ clubs, circles and unions introduced themselves to those interested. The Young Democratic Alliance gave out handbills explaining their history in chronological order, it vas alsó possible to jóin the YDA or the Scientific Workers Democratic Union. A group of those in solidarity vith conscientious objectors shoved documents about Zsolt Keszthelyi and Western coscientious objectors, the Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Endre Friendship Society, the West-East Netvork Dialogue Circle and other clubs reported on their programmes and plans. The Rakpart Club organised a meeting in order te arrange the transportation home and burial of Mihály Horváth, their leader, vho vas tragically killed in an accident in Czechoslovakia. The independent presses - A3C, Catalyst Office, Betueren Points of the Compass and Current Press - displayed and sold their samizdat vares. In front of a black silk background the INCONNU independent art group exhibited its vork and distributed a publication about its vork up until nov, they alsó made stickers and shoved videós of previous club events and of last years commemoration of the revolution. The^histórián Miklós Szabó spoke in the afternoon about hov, vith the replacement of Kadar, tvo ambitions had broken through the lines: the demand fór reforms and order making. These tvo are intervoven bút social activity has increased and continuity has been interrupted,as the title of the lecture "Something Has Happenedi" explained. László Lengyel an economist stressed that a "reform dictatorship" is possible bút nobody knovs .to vhat extent it vili be about reforms and to vhat extent dictatorship. The govemment speaks of the reform comaittees* continuous vork bút in reality no i serious reform vork has been done. Zoltán Berta vho is from Debrecen analysed the sad situation of provinciái intellectuals. After the lectures there vas a debate and then the YDA and small religous groups and basis communities reported their activities and aims. Finally somé members of the council spoke about the Netvork and proposals and criticisms vere voiced. At the same time as the Netvork conference the Prime Minister Karoly Grósz vas addressing the Budapest national conference of militia commanders, he threatened the opposition - the so-called enemy - vith administrative measures. Béla Gondos, a névspaper sellei^ left the Jurta at about 5 pm and vas folloved by tvo piain clothes detectives. He vas stopped, pinned dovn and despite protest from people in the street shoved intő a markét stall nearby and beaten. In his bag they found handbills announcing the June l6th commemoration fór Imre Nagy vhich they derided as facsist leaflets and took him to the XIV district Police Headquarters vhere he vas kept fór lj hours. After vhich there vas a hearing bút neither the beating he received nor his vounds vere recorded. It seems that Grósz does nőt deal in eapty threats. : & t Subscribers can use or quote the Hungárián October newsletters in totál or in detail as long as the source is acknowledred.
