Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Eastern Europe, Volume XXV

161. Telegram From the Department of State to the Legation in Hungary¹

Washington, November 3, 1956—6:50 p.m.

199. Department believes you should act at once present credentials (Vienna’s 1071² and 1022;³ Deptel 1259⁴ repeated Budapest 181) and seek establish official contact highest levels Hungarian Government on urgent, close and continuing basis.

Factors dictating this action include:

(1) Implications current Soviet military movements;

(2) Hungarian Government’s apparent acceptance and identification itself with popular demands and people’s struggle freedom and independence;

(3) Hungarian Government’s forthright appeal US and UN for assistance in critical situation attended by its forceful protest against entrance new Soviet troops, its repudiation Warsaw Pact, its demand withdrawal all Soviet forces, and its proclamation neutrality.

(4) Desirability that you enjoy proper formal access Hungarian authorities for prompt interchanges between Governments.

Accordingly request Foreign Office arrange earliest possible audience with President of Presidential Council or other appropriate Hungarian authorities for this purpose. You should state US Government attaches importance and high priority this matter.

Following is revised text remarks for your use occasion:

Begin. Mr. President: In presenting the Letter accrediting me as Minister of the United States of America to the Government of Hungary, and the Letter recalling my predecessor, I express to Your Excellency, on behalf of the Government and people of the United States, warmest greetings to the people of Hungary. In this momentous hour of their national life, the Hungarian people have shown highest courage, integrity of purpose, and unfaltering spirit. Their just struggle for freedom and independence commands the sympathy and the admiration of the entire world. My Government understands and supports these aspirations of the people of Hungary.

Deeply moved by the anguish and the heroic sacrifices which the Hungarian people have endured, and honoring the traditional friendship which exists between the Hungarian and the American peoples, my Government is acting urgently at this time to espouse the cause of Hungarian freedom and independence before the United Nations and to contribute all possible assistance for the alleviation of human suffering in Hungary.

In accordance with the clear purposes of my Government, I assure Your Excellency that I shall devote myself earnestly and unceasingly to the promotion of good will and friendly understanding between Hungary and the United States and to the advancement of those ideals and principles which inspire our two peoples, give rise to mutual interests, and ensure the welfare of both countries. It is my sincere hope that my efforts in this regard will engage the full cooperation of the Hungarian Government.

I now present to Your Excellency my Letter of Credence as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Government of Hungary and the Letter of Recall of my predecessor, Mr. Christian M. Ravndal. End.

Department proposes release press text remarks promptly upon receipt your telegraphic notification presentation credentials has taken place.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 123–Wailes, Edward T. Secret; Priority. Drafted by McKisson and cleared by him and by Freers. Repeated to Vienna.
2. Telegram 1071 from Vienna, November 2, reported Kriesky’s opinion that Wailes should present his credentials soon in order to help Nagy establish his authority. (Ibid.)
3. Document 150.
4. Telegram 1259 to Vienna, November 2, instructed Wailes not to arrange the presentation of his credentials pending clearance and specific directives from the Department of State. If he was pressed upon his arrival, he was to reply that he was awaiting official instructions and report the matter to the Department along with his recommendations. (Department of State, Central Files, 764.00/10–3156)