264.1111 Vogeler, Robert A./9–1150: Telegram
The Minister in Hungary (Davis) to the Secretary of State
106. Legtel 89, August 30.1 Have just seen Berei [at] his request. Referring our previous talk said had consulted his Government whose position remains removal interference VOA with Petofi condition precedent release Vogeler. His attitude throughout was interference entirely our fault since Petofi using authorized wave length in Hungary for broadcasts in Hungarian. My repeated efforts get him admit interference problem mutual unavailing. This phase conversation ended with Berei’s statement his Government would require statement [Page 1019] substantially following effect: “If interference cannot otherwise be abolished, US will cease use present wave length for Hungarian language broadcasts.” Was perfectly willing technicians both countries meet discuss interference problem, but unwilling agree in advance adopt any findings which would involve alteration Petofi wave length or engineering changes Petofi installation. I replied our argument now going around in circles, could only report to my Government.
Berei then said wished raise very minor matter in order avoid any possible misunderstanding. Hungarian Government assumes as matter of course Saint Stephen’s Crown among objects to be restituted since this clearly property Hungarian Government removed by Germans before January 20, 1945. I replied by no means clear crown restitutable under paragraph 3, article 30 of the [peace] treaty. Berei indicated definite assurances crown would be included indispensable condition. Full report follows pouch.
- Not printed. In it Minister Davis reported that he had that day called on Hungarian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Berei in pursuance of the Departmental instructions in telegram 53, August 22, to Budapest (see footnote 5, supra). The interview was cool and inconclusive, and Berei made repeated references to alleged Munich VOA radio interference with Radio Petofi (264.1111 Vogeler, Robert A./8–3050).↩