864.00/10–2346: Telegram
The Minister in Hungary (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received October 24—7:10 a.m.]
1994. Deptel 1015, October 2, my 1861, October 583 and previous. According to notes ACC meeting October 17 and today General Weems raised question formation and regulation new political parties in Hungary, particularly Freedom Party. In confused discussion General Sviridov acknowledged he had interpreted his initial communication to Prime Minister (mytel 1716, September 1184) as constituting only acknowledgment receipt request permission for formation party but that delay of final permission occasioned by necessity obtaining Marshal Voroshilov’s approval Sviridov’s remarks included statement “party authorized to function many days ago and now functioning as political party” both in Budapest and provinces and another statement that “party authorized but Sulyok not ready to organize it”. General understanding all members ACC appeared to be party authorized to function.
In discussion on procedural aspect question Sviridov emphasized necessity obtaining approval Marshal Voroshilov but did not even [Page 340] impliedly concede necessity for consulting other members. He made statement “in accordance statutes ACC Chairman brings up for discussion policy matters and other matters only raised for information other members”. General Weems closed discussion with request for statement policies, program, and composition Freedom Party as basis for discussion in event matter again raised. Sviridov replied party has no program or constitution as yet.
In meantime Legation obtained copy of letter from Acting Chairman ACC to Prime Minister dated October 11 stating he has no objection to formation Freedom Party (General Weems proposed agenda for October 17 ACC meeting transmitted to Acting Chairman ACC October 7). Letter contains sentence ACC decision took into consideration Prime Minister’s promise that activities Freedom Party will be directed toward “strengthening Hungarian democracy and will thus strengthen authority Coalition Govt and prestige Hungarian Republic”.