STOPPED A REFUGEE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29108, 21 January 1960, Page 20

STOPPED A REFUGEE

Hungarian Girl Decorated (From a Reuter Correspondent) BUDAPEST. Anna Mukics, a girl who asked to be taken to Canada in return for guiding a woman across the Hungarian frontier and who then handed her over to the frontier guards, has been decorated by the Hungarian Communist Youth Federation for “exemplary conduct in the protection of the frontier.” The Youth Federation’s weekly newspaper “Magyar Ifsjusag” reported that Anna and six others have been decorated at a ceremonial meeting by the secretary of the Federation’s Central Committee, Mr Richard Nagy. It was the first time civilians had been decorated for “protection of the frontier” the newspaper said. “Magyar Ifsjusag” told this story: “The forest was still enveloped in darkness. Everybody waited for the first signs of dawn —the beasts of the forest, the frontier guards and the young woman crouching under a bush. “She was cold and shivering and miserable from hunger. Fear alone kept her going. When it grew lighter, she left her hiding place and cautiously began to thread her way to some human habitation. “Anna Mukics rose that particular morning early as usual. She was just dressing when she heard a knock at the window. She opened the door and found a young woman aged about 24 on the threshold. She invited her to come in. “The stranger began to speak in a halting way. ‘Don’t think any evil about me. I've lost my way. You know . . . well, I need your help, but I’ll pay for it . . . I tell you openly, I would like to cross the frontier.. “Anna did not show any emotion. The stranger went on: ‘Believe me, I’ve not done anything wrong, only I can’t find my place here. Here I’m left to myself and I’m sure I’d be happier in Canada with my aunt. Everything’s different out there. Please show me the way.’ Girl’s Condition “‘All right,’ said Anna firmly. ‘But my condition is that you take me with you to Canada.’ “The stranger agreed and urged Anna to set out immediately. They started, Anna Mukics in front, followed by the young woman. Not a word passed between them. “After a while they crossed a road—and the lighted post of the frontier came into sight. The stranger suddenly stopped, she realised that the girl did not want to go to Canada with her, but to the guards. “It was too late. In vain did she offer her belongings to Anna. Soon she found herself in front of the officer in the command of the post. “With eyes downcast, she said: ‘I did. not realise that the civilians help you, too’.” “Magyar Ifsjusag” did not reveal the woman’s name nor what subsequently befell her.