78-02-A3

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St. Stephen's Crown

Transcript I've spoken before about the Crown of St. Stephan which has been a symbol of freedom to the Hungarian people for a thousand years, but I can't resist having one more go at it. The Washington paper Human Events has published a conversation between Reed Irvine of Accuracy-in-Media and a spokesman for the State department regarding the President's statement that we were returning the crown -- QUOTE-- "To the people of Hungary." --UNQUOTE-- Here's the way it went. I'll play both parts. Q: Could you tell us whether this statement that they are returning the crown to the people of Hungary indicated that the State department and the United States government believe that the government of Janos Kadar, which has been supported by Soviet occupation forces in Hungary, and installed with their support, represents the people of Hungary? A: We are not returning it so much to the government, Reed ... we are returning it to the Hungarian people. Q: You obviously are not turning it over to the man in the street, you are turning it over to government officials. A: There has to be somebody -- Q: Do you think that the government officials represent the people of Hungary? A: I don't think the question arises in this particular case, Reed. Q: It obviously does, from your statement. You say your are returning it to the people--and you are returning it to the Hungarian government. A: We have a disagreement which we can discuss if you want. I am saying that-- Q: Do you think that the government of Hungary is representative of the people? A: I won't answer the question. It's not what we are saying here. Q: Well, could you tell us when the last free election was held in Hungary? A: I would have to go back and look at the history books. I don't really know. Q: Has Janos Kadar ever submitted himself to a free election? A: I think what you ought to do is ask the Hungarians. Q: Well you know that. You know he hasn't. A: Well, then, why do you ask the question? Q: Well, I wanted to get the State department's view of why they feel that this government is representative of the people. A: My answer, Reed, as I have said, is that from this podium we are not in the habit of making judgments on other people's governments. Q: You don't have opinions about representative governments? A: I did not say that. Q: In Rhodesia, South Africa? A: No, I am not saying that at all. Q: I'm at a complete loss to understand the State department's position. A: Maybe I am at a complete loss to know why you don't inform yourself of what this forum is about, and what these briefings are really intended for. Q: I take it, it's to try to find out what the United States government policy is, isn't it? What is our policy? A: I don't think you are asking me what our policy is. Q: I am asking you. What is our policy? A: Our policy to what? Q: Toward governments that don't represent people. You say you are returning the crown to the Hungarian people. You are returning it to Janos Kadar, who obviously doesn't represent the people, because he has never submitted himself to an election. A: And? Q: Therefore, you are saying, it seems to me, incorrectly, that the government of Hungary represents the people and by this action you are indicating to everyone in the world that this government represents the people. A: No, I would contest that strongly, Reed. I don't think I am making that kind of statement at all. But he never explained what kind of statement he was making. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.		Details Batch Number 78-02-A3 Production Date 01/27/1978 Book/Page Online PDF Audio Youtube? No
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