Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe

316. Telegram From the Embassy in Romania to the Department of State¹

7442.

Bucharest, October 19, 1981, 0650Z

SUBJECT

• Assistant Secretary Eagleburger’s Consultations With Deputy Foreign Minister Szarka.

1. C—Entire text.

2. Assistant Secretary Eagleburger and Deputy Foreign Minster Karoly Szarka reviewed bilateral relations following Szarka’s October 16 dinner in Eagleburger’s honor. Szarka stressed that he wished to raise several problems, but that the discussion should be considered in the context of our overall good relations. On economic and trade problems, Eagleburger summarized his earlier conversation with MFT State Secretary Istvan Torok emphasizing that the Hungarian Government should not misinterpret commercial differences as signaling a political change in our relations.² Eagleburger expressed hope these problems could be resolved, or at least clarified.

3. Szarka then briefly reviewed the following issues:

— Property negotiations: Szarka said the Hungarian offer of earlier this year on US properties had been conceived as a political gesture to remove this old bilateral issue.³ The offer still stands, although the change in rates of exchange will probably require some adjustments. (In an aside, US Desk Officer Revesz said the GOH is prepared to be “very flexible” in is approach). Eagleburger acknowledged we have been slow in responding to the Hungarian offer, but we will do so soon.

— Dual accreditation of journalists: Szarka expressed hope that both sides can soon agree on the text of an agreement permitting the dual accreditation of journalists stationed in third countries.

— Visa refusals: In a reference to recent US visa refusals (N.B. on security grounds) and Hungarian retaliation, Szarka said he hoped we will not see any more of this type of “visa war”.

— UN Third countries: Szarka said that Hungary believed the recent sharp exchange of charges in the UN Third Committee, compelling Hungary to exercise its right of reply to a U.S. statement, could best have been avoided.

— Anniversary of the Hungarian revolution: Szarka said that the GOH had compiled a list of events being held in the United States to commemorate the “1956 counter-revolution”. Hungary was particularly concerned over resolutions passed by the Congress which President Reagan may sign as well as the report that Severtary Haig will receive the “Hungarian Liberty Medal” at a dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. Szarka said that when celebrations of 1956 are raised to such a high political level by the administration it was not helpful in encouraging the spirit of positive relations between our two countries. Eagleburger responded that for a series of reasons it is not possible for the United States to ignore the 25th anniversary of Hungarian revolution. Hungary must understand that if the Congress passes a resolution on 1956 the President will almost certainly sign it.⁴ Just as the United States didn’t like the recent communique issued after Libyan leader Qadhafi’s visit to Budapest, the Government of Hungary won’t like many of the events related to 1956 that will take place in the United States. We must accept these differences of view and try to find those issues on which we are in agreement.

— Negotiations on renewal of cultural agreement program document: Szarka proposed that discussions on the renewal of the cultural agreement begin at the beginning of December and not the middle of November as proposed by the United States. Szarka noted with regret that the United States draft⁵ submitted to Hungary left out any mention of cooperation in mining research, which the Hungarians had hoped to have included.

— Legal assistance agreement: Szarka expressed hope we could reach agreement on a legal assistance agreement soon.

— High level visits: Szarka said the GOH values the exchanges afforded by high-level visits; Foreign Trade Minister Veress will complete this year’s program. In the coming year, Szarka noted the planned visit by Minister of Culture Pozsgay, the possibility of a return visit to the US by a Hungarian parliamentary delegation, and possibly a visit by Deputy Prime Minister Jozsef Marjai.

4. CSCE: Eagleburger asked Szarka and Director of Department V Ferenz Esztergalyos (who succeeds Janos Petran as chief Hungarian delegate at the Madrid Conference)⁶ for their views on the possibilities of reaching agreement at Madrid. Szarka said Hungary hopes for a meaningful final document. If an agreement is not reached by the end of the year Hungary expects a much longer delay than the current recess. Szarka said public opinion in many countries will be critical of any new delay, undoubtedly alleging that the signatories are not living up to the Final Act.⁷ Szarka said the current situation reminds him of the period just prior to agreement on the text of the Helsinki Final Act. He expressed hope for a readiness [garble] to compromise and agreed with Esztergalyos that Hungary was on balance “modestly optimistic” about a successful conclusion. Eagleburger reviewed current US concerns and urged Esztergalyos to meet early on at Madrid with Ambassador Kampelman.

Funderburk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D810492–0088. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Sent Immediate for information to Budapest.
2. No memorandum of conversation for this meeting was found.
3. See Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. XX, Eastern Europe, Document 139.
4. See Proclamation 4877, October 22, in Public Papers: Reagan, 1981, pp. 982–983.
5. Not found.
6. Documents relating to the U.S. policy toward The Madrid Conference are scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. V, European Security, 1977–1983.
7. See footnote 6, Document 21.