115. Telegram From the Embassy in Hungary to the Department of State1
Budapest, May 14, 1971,
0740Z.
787. Subject: Meeting With FonMin Peter.
- 1.
-
FonMin
Janos Peter in one hour
meeting with me May 13 prior to my departure on home leave and
consultations made following points:
- A)
- Hungary wants to improve its relations with U.S. Regretted impression created by Hungarian statements on international issues sometimes gave opposite effect. Said GOH willing to start new positive phase in bilaterals upon my return.
- B)
- Without going into details our bilaterals,2 I nevertheless mentioned failure of GOH to reciprocate our unilateral lifting of restrictions on Hungarian information activities in U.S. Peter stated he aware of importance U.S. move and significance we attached to it. Said: Your move will be reciprocated.
- C)
- Peter said he and EE colleagues had made great mistake in initial phases of CES campaign by not including U.S. and Canada in discussions at very beginning. Described Hungarian interest in CES as strictly device to construct European security system which would permit withdrawal of foreign forces from both West and East Europe, which is in interest of both and also of U.S. in helping U.S. with balance of payments problem. Acknowledged Berlin settlement crucial to European security but regretted, as he put it, it had been made precondition hd [to?] preparations for CES. Felt earlier NATO formulation making it and settlement other questions pre-conditions to holding CES, as distinct from preparing for CES, not acceptable to EEʼs but preferable to later formulation. Asked I see him again on CES after consultation in Washington.
- 2.
- Peter said Kadar regretted that my meeting with him had not materialized but would see me upon return.
- 3.
- Meeting cordial.
- 4.
- Memcon pouched.
Puhan