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

280. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations¹

Washington, December 27, 1957—6:47 p.m.

516. Re Hungary.

1. Dept believes important find additional means of focusing attention on current situation in Hungary, particularly because of likelihood new trials and executions may be announced at any time.² In these circumstances we have been considering possible steps that will produce further publicity.

2. While Hungarian UN representative summarily rejected communication from Special Committee,³ his earlier statement of willingness to provide correct information presumably still stands.⁴ We believe it could be used as basis for individual communications from permanent UN representatives. LA states have of course already sent joint communications; we would be interested know whether Hungarian delegation acknowledged LA letter in any way.

3. USUN authorized discuss current situation with key permanent representatives, including particularly those of UK, France, Australia, Netherlands, India and any others who might be receptive to idea of further initiatives, and might have suggestions of their own. For example, most SC members might be approached.

4. Without placing US in forefront of campaign, our idea would be to stimulate as many UN members as possible to communicate their official concern to the Hungarian UN representative and express their hope that he will, pursuant to his own commitment, inform them regarding true facts of trials, etc. Such correspondence could be released to press at appropriate time together with whatever answer, if any, Hungarians might provide. We would hope Asian and African states particularly might be induced on strictly humanitarian grounds to join in sending such communications.

5. Text of draft US communication will be sent you separately.⁵

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 764.00/12–2757. Confidental. Drafted by Elizabeth A. Brown (IO/UNP) and cleared by Sisco, Hanes (IO), and Robert M. McKisson.
2. The Legation in Budapest received reliable reports that former Nagy government officials prominent in the 1956 uprising were being secretly tried and that death sentences were probable. Those on trial were General Pal Meleter, General Istvan Kovacs, and Sandor Kopacsi. (Telegram 330 from Budapest, December 14; ibid., 764.00/12–1457) This report came soon after recent trials and sentences (including executions) of participants in the 1956 uprising. (Telegram 116 to USUN, December 14; Ibid.)
3. On December 20, the Special Committee on Hungary approved a letter for transmission to the Hungarian Foreign Minister expressing concern about reports of trials of participants in the 1956 uprising and asking for information and assurances that those accused would be treated humanely. (U.N. doc. A/AC.88/1) On December 21, the Hungarian Permanent Representative returned the letter without transmitting it to his government on the grounds that Hungary did not recognize the Special Committee. (U.N. Yearbook, 1957, p. 66)
4. Reference is to an assurance given Prince Wan Waithaiakon by Foreign Minister Rapacki on October 10 that Hungary would provide information on treatment of prisoners awaiting trial if the request was submitted to the Hungarian Government in the form of a memorandum of questions. This offer was subsequently revoked by the Hungarian Representative on November 15 and December 2 on the grounds that it was an intrusion into Hungarian internal affairs. (Ibid., p. 65, and U.N. doc. A/3774)
5. Reference is to a draft of a letter from Acting Representative at the United Nations, Ambassador James J. Wadsworth, to the Hungarian Representative, Ambassador Peter Mod, February 18, 1958; for text, see Department of State Bulletin, April 7, 1958, pp. 581–582.