Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.life From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Hungary's revolution celebrated Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 13:27:07 EST Message-ID: \SE E;LIFE;ABOUT TOWN \HD Hungary's revolution celebrated \BY Jeffrey Staggs \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES A crowd of 400 jammed into the Embassy of Hungary Friday night to celebrate the anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. But the event seemed more like a birthday party for Edward Teller, the Hungarian-born nuclear scientist. Mr. Teller, 84, was one of nine people receiving awards "for persistent and tireless help to Hungary." Although his role as the somewhat Dr. Strangelove-ish "father of the H-bomb" has drawn both criticism and acclaim, most of the guests were clearly admirers. He was surrounded throughout the evening by throngs of fans thrusting pieces of paper at him for autographs. "We celebrate those who stood up against foreign tyranny, dictatorship, and, yes, communism . . . [when] it seemed possible that the miracle of freedom and independence was at hand," said Ambassador Pal Tar, who hosted the reception with his wife, Anne-Marie. The revolution started on Oct. 23, 1956, when Budapest students rallied in support of Polish efforts to win autonomy from the Soviet Union. After the Hungarian Central Committee reinstalled popular former Prime Minister Imre Nagy, the revolt seemed to be on the verge of success. But after only 12 days, the uprising was brutally crushed by the Soviet military. Freedom fighters from the 1956 revolt and diplomats expelled from Hungary after the communist takeover in 1945 were among those honored by Mr. Tar. One American was presented with the Officers' Cross, the most prestigious of the awards. James McCargar worked in the United States legation in Budapest in the mid-1940s, where he helped more than 60 people flee the country. He recently went back to Hungary, for the first time in 44 years. What struck him most was the number of cars. "The traffic jams are monumental," he said. Ah, progress. The awards presentation was given in Hungarian, but lost the attention of many in the crowd toward the end, particularly those who didn't understand the language. When the ceremony was over, guests rushed to "liberate" the buffet table in true revolutionary style. Mr. Teller, now a senior research fellow at the Hoover Institution specializing in national energy policies and methods to ensure peace , urged Americans in the crowd to vote in the upcoming presidential election. (He has been a U.S. citizen since 1941.) Not surprisingly, he couched his admonition in scientific terms: "Whether you think about it positively, or negatively, or as a zero, make a choice." As for his personal opinion, "President Bush does have some elements of these Hungarian virtues. . . . " If Mr. Tar was caught off guard by this protocol gaffe, his rigid expression managed to hide it well. He certainly seemed more comfortable listening to the reading of a letter from the president, which said, "The United States remains committed to helping the Hungarian people." +++ This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM