Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XVII, Eastern Europe

115. Memorandum of Conversation¹

Washington, October 17, 1968, 11 a.m.

SUBJECT

• Introductory Call of Hungarian Ambassador Nagy on Assistant Secretary Leddy

PARTICIPANTS

• Janos Nagy, Hungarian Ambassador
• John M. Leddy, Assistant Secretary for European Affairs
• Leslie C. Tihany, EUR/EE, Hungarian Affairs

Ambassador Nagy’s introductory call on Mr. Leddy lasted 12 minutes. In order to avoid a repetition of the tactic used by the Ambassador during his call on Mr. Lisle (see Lisle-Nagy memcon dated October 15, 1968),² which was to blur the issue by introducing Viet-Nam in response to our opening expression of disapproval regarding Warsaw Pact action in Czechoslovakia, Mr. Leddy took the initiative by first mentioning Viet-Nam and then proceeding to Czechoslovakia. He told the Ambassador that, because of his wearisome conversation with Deputy Foreign Minister Szilagyi in Budapest a year ago,³ he was familiar and also in disagreement with the Hungarian Government’s views on Viet-Nam. Next focussing on the events of last August, Mr. Leddy tersely explained that our efforts toward détente with Bloc countries, including Hungary, which have borne some fruit in the case of the Soviet Union, would now have to proceed more slowly and with more difficulty owing to Czechoslovakia.

The Ambassador said he realized that his arrival in Washington occurred in a situation marked by difficulties but that his efforts would be directed toward contributing to an improvement rather than to a deterioration of the situation. Mr. Leddy expressed approval of this intent and mentioned that among the various bilateral problems awaiting solution that of the mission personnel ceilings, in Washington and Budapest, could probably be handled most rapidly. We were interested for security reasons, he added, in assigning five Marines to our Embassy at Budapest.

Ambassador Nagy agreed that the matter of personnel ceilings posed a problem easy to handle. He continued to say that his Government did not tie in this problem with any other outstanding issue. “My need for increased staffing,” he added, “is not in Washington but beyond the capital city.”

This oblique reference to the Hungarian desire to open consulates in New York and Cleveland (see Lisle-Nagy memcon dated October 15, 1968)⁴ drew the comment from Mr. Leddy that “this was not our case.” On the other hand, Mr. Leddy continued, we were concerned about two protection cases in Hungary, those of Andrew Csala and Henrietta Blueye. Release of these imprisoned Americans would mark progress toward improved relations, he said.

The Ambassador promptly replied that Mr. Csala would be released the following day (October 18) and that our Embassy at Budapest was so informed today. He was not familiar with the Blueye case but felt hopeful as to its outcome as well.

Mr. Leddy said that Csala’s imminent release was good news, indeed, and expressed his appreciation. When the Ambassador next took up the subject of US-Hungarian trade, Mr. Leddy agreed that our inability to grant MFN should not prevent some expansion of trade through promotional activities. He mentioned, as an example, the Bulgarian Embassy’s current drive to popularize Bulgarian wines in this country. The Ambassador appeared interested.

Mr. Leddy terminated the conversation by wishing the Ambassador well in his new assignment.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 17 HUNG–US. Confidential. Drafted by Tihany. The conversation was held in Leddy’s office.
2. Not printed. (Ibid., POL 17 HUNG–US)
3. See Document 111.
4. Not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 17 HUNG–US)