OSA / Guide / RIP / 1956 / RFE/RL Background Reports : Subjects | Browse | Search

The text below might contain errors as it was reproduced by OCR software from the digitized originals,
also available as Scanned original in PDF.

BOX-FOLDER-REPORT: 28-4-57
TITLE:             Altman on Post-Rakosi
BY:                ERS
DATE:              1956-9-13
COUNTRY:           Hungary
ORIGINAL SUBJECT:  Gen Desk
THEMATIC SUBJECTS: Hungary--1956-1965, Communist Parties--Personalities, Political Persecution

--- Begin ---

Curt - Altman on Post-Rakosi (H) C-154

Hungary 13 Sept. 1956

Munich, September 13 -- (GEN DESK - ERS) -- Rakosi's name has
Disappeared very quickly from the Hungarian political dictionary
but corrections of his policies seem to be carried out much slower,
according to BORBA (Belgrade) of September 9. In an article entitled
"New Threads of Confidence", Gavro Alt-man in general favorably
evaluates present trends in Hungarian political life. In his opinion
they will bring about a rebirth of confidence by party members in
their leaders which "suffered a serious crisis especially in the
turbulent months after the 20th Congress of the Soviet Communist
Party". Alt-man said "it was one of the essential, if not the most
essential, problems of the country, party and its leadership".
Alt-men added: "The responsibility for this crisis is divided
between the policy followed after 1948 and before 1953 and
indecisiveness and inconsistency in removing the consequences of such a policy.
It must not be lost from sight that in Hungary already in 1953 -
earlier than in any country of Eastern Europe - a rather radical
program of democratization was proclaimed, but its implementation
suffered for years because of resistance w?? by Stalinist elements.
"First of all because of Rakosi himself whose own political burden,
i.e. the responsibility for old policies, made it impossible 'to
open a new, clear page of the Party history'. All in all, it could be
said that the zig-zag line of party policy after 1953 was chiefly
responsible for party members losing their confidence in the leaders
of the Hungarian Workers Party. The Hungarian Communists have in the
meantime become witnesses of the fact that an essentially positive
program was proclaimed but greatest part of it was not implemented
until recently.

[page 1]

X/130 Curt - (1) Yugo paper or (H) JOURNALISTS REHABILITATION D-4

The rehabilitation took place, however, only a year later when Matyas
Rakosi at a provincial meeting announced this important fact with a
few words. One day after the speech the press published it, only very
modestly and unobtrusive in the text while this important fact was not
mentioned in the headlines or in sub-titles. Reprisals took place. Some
newspapermen with positions of responsibility editors and members of the
editorial board of the Party paper SZABAD NEP, of the Patriotic National
Front MAGYAR NEMZET and other prominent papers were, according to the
decision of the biggest party form, expelled from the ranks of the HWP
and dismissed from the newspapers. Others got away with a minor Party
punishment and were relieved from their duties.

"All in all their views were officially strongly condemned. Until
a short time ago their situation did not change. However, after the
plenum of the CC in July, at an initiative from 'above' a positive
process of rehabilitation started, although not one of the expelled
party members or the above mentioned newspapermen renounced his previous
point of view. A special commission consisting of members of the
Central Committee, members of the Central Commission and officials of the
CC apparatus investigated the matter. The newspapermen received full
satisfaction after several discussions; those who have been party
members were re-admitted to the Party, the punishment of those who
have been punished, was cancelled and all were offered their former
duties in the editorial offices. Some received at once a material
indemnification for the time that they had been removed from their jobs.
However, the most important in the entire matter is the fact that not
one of the rehabilitated has renounced his previous point of view. This
has not been requested. The request of 'mea culpa'(my guilt) was
omitted; all have been re-admitted with the same point of view for which
they have been expelled. Time, the further development of events and
also the Party line confirmed many of these views.

[page 2]

X/130 Curt - (2) Yugo paper or. (H) JOURNALISTS REHABILITATION D-5

"A certain confusion has been created among many observers in
Budapest. The question has been put what is the meaning of these
rehabilitations, to which extent is this a recognition of the assertedly
not recognized 'Nagyism'? Is this not perhaps a step in resolving the
problem which, as it seems, will be subject of further discussions
on a higher level as up to now. Is this not perhaps an inquiery for
making further important stops toward realization of unity of the
Party?

"It is difficult to give an answer today. Nevertheless, the very
facts speak for themselves in a positive language."

  OSA / Guide / RIP / 1956 / RFE/RL Background Reports : Subjects | Browse | Search