Fear Of Police In Hungary: Ruthless Reds

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1949, Page 5

Fear Of Police In Hungary: Ruthless Reds

WELLINGTON, This Day (0.C.).— Communist control in Hungary, which he observed, attracted less attention in the world outside than did that in Czechoslovakia, said Mr L. R. G. Arfwedson, the new Charge d’Affaires for Sweden in Wellington. Mr Arfwedson’s last post was Charge at Budapest. The Hungarian Communists coup, which he described as exceedingly clever, because it was accomplished within the framework of the constitution was an example of how a body of determined, ruthless men could obtain power. Mr Arfwedson was one of the diplomats who unsuccessfully endeavoured to obtain a permit to witness the trial of Cardinal Mindszenty. “Fanatical Communist” The present trial of Laszlo Rajk, whom he alluded to as “a fanatical Communist,” is also of interest to him because the former Minister of the Interior was also Foreign Minister, and, naturally, all the diplomats had contact with him during' his term of office. There was a deliberate attempt to isolate the diplomatic representatives from the Hungarian people, said Mr. Arfwedson, who remarked that whereas formerly 200 to 300 people would call at his Legation during the day, that number., was reduced to possibly not more than half a dozen. People were afraid to be seen entering any foreign Legation. If a diplomat wished to invite a Government official to,dinner, he continued, he had first to apply to the officer in charge, of protocol, and, if permission were granted, the guest would next day furnish his Government with a list of fellow guests and comments on their conversation. ‘ So you will see how difficult the situation was,” said Mr Arfwedson. “Naturally, we did not wish to embarrass our friends.” Means Starvation The Government’s ? displeasure meant dismissal from employment, and that was, in effect starvation for the person concerned. “The same tactics are employed in Hungary today as were employed by the Nazis,” he remarked. “I saw precisely the’same thing happen in 5 Germany under Hitler.”