143. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Missions1
332. Following is Department’s assessment of recent events in Hungary at present time.
Owing to lack of communications with Legation Budapest past few days it has been difficult to follow swift-moving events. Picture at present seems to be that Nagy Government has control of situation in Budapest but that there, as in rest of country, particularly western [Page 345] portion, insurgents occupy number of important points. Rebels consist of two main orientations—National Communists fighting Soviet troops and opposing government as long as it uses them, and anti-Communists with more sweeping aims in direction of democracy. There is some indication they are drawing closer together on anti-Soviet issues, on coordinating fighting activities, and on demanding broadening of Nagy Government. Leaders not known and countrywide violent reaction appears spontaneous outburst.
Dominant issue is use of Soviet troops for brutal repression Hungarian people. After cooperating in inviting them to help restore order and after stressing their presence in Hungary legal under Warsaw Pact, Nagy has reversed position and has promised to have them withdrawn from Budapest, on condition fighting stops, and negotiate their final departure from Hungary. Soviets are justifying use of their troops on grounds that rebellion in Hungary incited by US and stess invitation of Hungarian Government in this regard. Official organ of Hungarian Workers (Communist) Party has categorically rejected this interpretation and attributes uprisings to past policies Hungarian regime.2 Poland and Yugoslavia appear to follow same line, while other Eastern European Communist regimes are supporting Soviet version—thus creating major ideological split on issue in Communist world.
Question whether Soviets willing to allow stabilization under Nagy Government committed to withdrawal their troops (with all that implies for other satellite countries) or whether they must proceed to reestablish complete control over country in role of alien occupier (which implies huge military burden for future and nullifies present world posture).
US objective at this stage is primarily to encourage cessation of use of Soviet troops against Hungarian people and establish conditions for their eventual withdrawal from Hungary. Security Council action directed toward these ends. Meanwhile, in view delicate balance with regard Nagy regime and its pledge to rid country of Soviet troops, US is refraining at this point from adopting stand on Nagy. Some evidence however regime attempting deception break resistance. US will aim to hold it to promises.
Efforts to render emergency assistance to Hungarians in way of drugs and foodstuffs are being encouraged. Consideration being given also to relief assistance in form of other commodities.