154. Telegram From the Legation in Hungary to the Department of State1
Budapest, November 1, 1956—9
p.m.
209. Legation comment Legtel 208.2 Following possibilities suggest themselves:
- 1.
- Soviets have decided to rattle a few words in order suppress increasing demands from right, and Nagy proved stronger than anticipated, thus placing Soviets in present box.
- 2.
- Soviets have decided that recent developments here have meant that strongly anti-Soviet Government will eventually be installed, and in view Middle East developments and prestige losses already suffered in Hungary, have decided their best interests dictate maintenance of position here at all costs.
- 3.
- This is trick agreed to by Soviets to strengthen Nagy’s hand against ever-increasing demands from right.
To us, (1) and (2) seem more likely than (3), but this a matter of global policy and impossible gauge from here.
[Page 364]At moment, we have no stronger suggestion than immediate and strongest protest to Moscow. This protest might, however, also accept Hungarian proposal of neutral status supported by four powers. Would suggest Legation pass copy immediately to Hungarian Government.
Barnes
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 661.68/11–156. Confidential; Niact. Sent also to Moscow and Vienna.↩
- Telegram 208 from Budapest, November 1, summarized telegram 213, cited in footnote 5, supra. (Department of State, Central Files, 661.64/11–156)↩