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POLITICAL

JPRS-EER-91-053 25 April 1991

members of its National Council. The brief report pre-sented by this paper yesterday about the conference clearly reveals that the party leadership did not want to cut the cord by using the opportunity provided by this meeting to do justice directly. In other words, the goal was not to find out who was right regarding the various matters in the dispute between the Capital and its dis-tricts, instead they provided an opportunity for rapidly reaching a necessary agreement between the opposing parties. We may also interpret this to mean that the consensus about to evolve between the Capital and its districts represents the solution, rather than the central party position, a position which, according to indica-tions, does not even exist as far as the details of the agreement are concemed.

However unavoidable an agreement may be, reaching an agreement promises to be difficult, considering con-flicting interest between the Capital and its districts, many of which flow naturally from the situation. The ofttimes mentioned consensus may come about only if both the Capital and the districts yield with respect to the positions held thus far. They must mutually evaluate each otheris functions and tasks, and those indispensable and necessary conditions which must be granted to each body, so that each autonomous governmental body may be able to function in a manner consistent with the public interests of the Capital. The dispute over who should be stronger, the Capital city autonomous govern-ment or the autonomous govemmental bodies in the districts, is outdated. Budapest should be strong, and so should its districts to the extent possible. This can be the only ultimate goal that flows from the agreement.

Former Ministers Testify at Secret Seirice Trial

LD1104211791 Budapest MTI in English 1905 GMT 11 Apr 91

[Text] (MTI)—The former prime minister of Hungary, Miklos Nemeth, and the former minister of home affairs, Dr. Istvan Horvath, were given hearings at the public trial of defendants, retired Brigadier General Ferenc Pallagi, former deputy minister of home affairs and retired Brigadier General Dr. Jozsef Horvath, former head of department of the State security forces, who are accused of using unauthorized means against opposition forces during the term of the previous govemment.

Horvath spoke about the large role played by the changes in the ministry of home affairs in peacefully realizing Hungary’s change within the system.

Former Prime Minister Miklos Nemeth outlined the strategy of his onetime govemment for the achievement of social restructuring. He said that one of the main goals had been the establishment of a multiparty system in a peaceful way. Nemeth stressed that the head of the Ministry of Home Affairs at that time had had a large part in that process.

Speaking about the work of State security forces, he mentioned that both the South Korean and the Japanese presidents visiting Hungary at the time, had spoken in praise of the work of the secret service.

When the court was adjourned, Miklos Nemeth told journalists that the new form of the secret service, still running under the present government, had been created while he was in office.

Free Democrats Announce Leader Visits

LD1204180391 Budapest MTI in English 1544 GMT 12 Apr 91

[Text] (MTI)—The Alliance of Free Democrats [SZDSZ] has a packed diplomatic timetable for the next few days, with President Janos Kis leaving for Paris, Ivan Pęto, head of the party’s parliamentary group, for Bonn, and executive Balint Magyar for Prague. The National Council will decide on the matter of whether to partici-pate in the six-party talks proposed by the Fedcration of Young Democrats on Saturday. The SZDSZ supports the idea of calling trade union elections, journalists were told on Friday.

The SZDSZ’s parliamentary delegation, headed by Ivan Pęto, will be visiting Germany on 16 April, and will meet with Chancellor Kohl and Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher. Isvtan Szent-Ivanyi, member of the delegation and deputy chairman of the parliamenfs economic committee, pointed out to journalists that besides strengthening bilateral relations, the delegation wishes to win German support on points related to EC associate status, including agricultural export quotas, or a declaration on subsequent fuli EC membership.

SFRY’s Maksie Cited on Arms Sales ‘ScandaF

LD1104171191 Budapest Domestic Service in Hungarian 11 Apr 91

[Textj According to the Yugoslavian deputy foreign minister, the Hungarian arms sales scandal cannot be considered elosed. Belgrade expects the Budapest gov-ernment to clarify the issue in the interest of neighborly relations. Maksie believes that there is a diffcrencc between the statement by Prime Minster Jozsef Antall, and that madę by Tamas Katona, State secretary for foreign affairs, in Belgrade. The Yugoslavian politician also pointed out in the Belgrade parliament that the NEPSZABADSAG interview with Emo Raffay, State secretary for defense, was a classic example of interven-tion in domestic affairs. He said that the Yugoslavian Government has taken steps concerning the affair.

FIDESZ Standpoint on Compensation Law

91CH0505B Budapest MAGYAR H1RLAP in Hungarian 13 Mar 91 p 3

[Article by Attila Farkas: “FIDESZ [Association of Young Democrats] Will Not Take Part in the Compensation Debate”]