MR NEHRU ON HUNGARY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28130, 20 November 1956, Page 15

MR NEHRU ON HUNGARY

“The People WHI Triumph” (Rec. 11.10 p.m.) NEW DELHI. Nov. 19. The Prime Minister of India, Mr Nehru, today said that impartial observers, preferably from the United Nations, should be allowed to visit Hungary and the occupied areas of Egypt to report on the facts. Mr Nehru, who has been criticised for his attitude towards events in Hungary, was opening a foreign affairs debate in the Indian House of the People (Lower House). He had been more impressed by the passive resistance in Hungary than by the fighting, Mr Nehru said. “There is little doubt that the present movement in Hungary is a popular movement.” The gross and brutal exercise of armed might against weaker nations in Egypt and Hungary would fail. “Britain and France have not gained anything and will lose much. I have no doubt that sooner or later the Hungarian people, who have demonstrated so vividly their desire for freedom, will triumph.” he said. Mr Nehru said that events in Hungary showed that undoubtedly the government there was not a free government. but an imposed government, and that the Hungarian people were not satisfied with it. He had received a letter from the Soviet Prime Minister, Marshal Bulganin, suggesting a Five-Power Conference to consider the world situation, especially disarmament. “Whether a conference is held or not depends on the Big Powers If we can help, our services will be there,” Mr Nehru said.