Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972

112. Telegram From the Embassy in Hungary to the Department of State¹

Budapest, November 6, 1970, 1500Z.

1911. Subject: U.S.-Hungarian Bilateral Relations. Ref: State 178188.²

1. Dep FonMin Marjai invited me to meet with him for resumption discussion U.S.-Hungarian relations yesterday, November 5. Marjai accompanied by Bartha, Kovacs and Kerekes took initiative by proposing we continue our discussions along lines agreed upon by me and his predecessor, Szilagyi. Emphasized importance of continuing good atmosphere and expressed GOH hopes for success.

2. I replied we were prepared to continue discussions. I noted however that uncertainty had been created in Washington as to the desire of the Hungarian Government to improve its relations with us by FonMin Peterʼs speech in the UN.³ I added that public official statements misrepresenting our intentions and policies were not conducive to the improvement of bilateral relations. I concluded that any check of US official statements concerning Hungary would show that we had been most careful.

3. Marjai replied both sides knew each otherʼs views on larger international issues and though problems existed, they should not deter us from continuing to develop our relations. He made no response to my reference to the Peter speech and the Secretaryʼs reaction to it. He asked if we could go to item by item review.

4. Rest of the meeting concerned item by item review of 1969 agenda, dropping items which had been resolved by August 1969 agreements.⁴ At my request announcing in/out procedure required by Hungarian authorities for holders of diplomatic and official passports added to agenda.

5. While making no concession on informational activities, Marjai said it was Hungarian turn to take next step—that is, remove restrictions on U.S. informational activities in Hungary.

6. We agreed to establish priorities on items by November 16.

7. Comment: Instruction reftel carried out. Failure of Marjai to respond, or attempt to take issue with my remarks, appears to be clear evidence that Hungarians fully aware of magnitude of Peterʼs gaffe in New York, or displeasure it aroused in Secretaryʼs mind, and of desire to forget it. On items in bilaterals, GOH seems genuinely willing to explore ways and means of improving relations.

Puhan

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL HUNG–US. Confidential.
2. Dated October 25; it instructed the Embassy to delay resumption of talks in the wake of a variety of anti-American moves by the Hungarian Government. (Ibid.)
3. For text, see UN doc. A/PV.1868.
4. On August 15 the Department of State announced that as the result of talks between Puhan and Szilagyi in Budapest, the United States and Hungary had exchanged letters “reflecting understandings reached on the following points: the establishment of a Hungarian commercial office in New York City, means of payment of the Hungarian surplus property debt that was incurred following World War II, and staffing of the United States Embassy in Budapest and the Hungarian Embassy in Washington.” (Department of State Bulletin, September 8, 1969, p. 214) For the U.S. list of possible issues for discussion, see Document 109.