864.00/6–2647
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Chief of the Division of Southern European Affairs (Barbour)
| Participants: | Former Hungarian Prime Minister, Ferenc Nagy; |
| Former Hungarian Minister, Aladár Szegedy-Maszák; | |
| The Under Secretary, Mr. Acheson; | |
| Andor Klay, BI (Interpreter); | |
| Mr. Barbour, SE |
The former Hungarian Prime Minister called on the Undersecretary on June 26 by appointment made at his request. After the usual amenities in which Mr. Nagy expressed his thanks for the courtesy of the US in permitting him to come to this country and for its understanding of the problems affecting Hungary, the Undersecretary asked Mr. Nagy to summarize recent developments in Hungary. Mr. Nagy reviewed the circumstances surrounding his resignation, pointing out [Page 329] that he had given a fuller statement in this connection to the Department in writing. Mr. Acheson then asked for the former Prime Minister’s opinion as to advisable policy in regard to Hungary and Eastern Europe. Mr. Nagy said that, while he would hesitate to suggest policy for the US, his personal view is that it is of primary importance that Europe not be separated into two distinct camps, Hungary and the other Eastern countries similarly situated being considered behind a strict strategic line. On the contrary, he felt that efforts to encourage the majority peoples of Eastern Europe who now find themselves under minority dictatorship should be concentrated on a general ideological approach based on continued US support for democratic principles throughout the world. He recognized the difficulty of obtaining any early amelioration of the situation in Eastern Europe but emphasized the ultimate importance of keeping up the spirits of democratic elements in the area. In this endeavor Mr. Nagy drew attention to the desirability of continued public expression of US interest in those peoples and suggested that encouragement would be given them by radio broadcasts from Western leaders.
In conclusion Mr. Nagy made two requests. He expressed a desire to call upon the Secretary and Mr. Acheson agreed to speak to the Secretary in that connection. Mr. Nagy also expressed interest in being permitted himself to utilize US radio facilities, presumably the Voice of America, to broadcast to Hungary.1