Can someone tell me if there are significant differences between modern
telephone connectors in Hungary and the US?  I travel to England, and I
have purchased converters that allow US phones to be connected to English
wall jacks.  I am wondering if that is also possible in Hungary.

My mother wants to take some US phones back with her as gifts, and I am
not sure that US phones will work in Hungary.  I am am not sure that all
the specifications on telephones (voltages, pulse rates, or DTMF tones)
are the same.

I would appreciate info from anyone that has tried this.

Ken

  or )

News story:

CZECH INTERIOR MINISTRY SAYS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNIST GROUPS MUST LEAVE.
Czech Interior Minister Jan Ruml on 14 March confirmed that three
international organizations with close links to the former communist
regime will no longer be allowed to have their headquarters in Prague,
Czech Television and other media reported. The International
Organization of Journalists, based in Prague since 1947, the
International Students' Union, and the World Trades Union Federation
were ordered by the federal Interior Ministry to leave Czechoslovakia
in 1992.
After a two-year appeal process, Ruml confirmed that they must
remove their secretariats from Prague. But he added that the
organizations will still be allowed to conduct activities in the Czech
Republic. -- Steve Kettle, OMRI, Inc.
-----------

This step was logical after some prior house cleaning moves by the
Czechs, removing former communists from leadership positions.
And because Hungary did not do the former, it would also not do the
latter (with such communist front organizations).

Bravo Czechs!

Joe Pannon

I support the suggestion that the Magyarok Vilagszovetsege go on the
Internet.

L. J. Elteto

>
> Of course there were taxpayers in Hungary during the Kadar years.
> Just because tax was collected in ways other than personal income
> tax or VAT it doesn't mean none was collected.
>

That's why I did not knock the meaning, only the wording.


> > How the American regime finances oversees cultural
> > stuff? I am just interested...
>
> I have no idea, having trouble understanding the question for starters,
> but then this is not a Hungarian issue, is it ?
>
> George Antony

Just, that the taxpayers contribute to American propaganda abroad, so
in this the Kadar arrangement was the same. (oversees=overseas)

Thanks to Csaba Zoltani for making available part of an article on the
Hungarian military from Jane's Military Intelligence Review. I have a
question concerning the Hungarian military. I read in Mozaik yesterday the fol
lowing:

>Prime Minister Horn Visits Defence Ministry
>
>
>        Budapest, March 1 (MTI) - Prime Minister Gyula Horn disagrees with
>Western views that the new way of thinking in the Hungarian armed forces is
>not
>sufficiently in evidence


>From this I gather that there was some criticim of Hungary's military and its
commitment to the necessary reorganization before Hungary can join NATO. Does
anyone know anything about this?

Eva Balogh

I also second the suggestion that the MVSZ get on the Internet.

   It is not  that people  are not interested  in the activities of
the MVSZ, Barna,  but there is not much to say about the organizat-
ion. It has serious problems  communicating with people it supposed
to help. This is so especially since the subsidy is gone.  The MVSZ
used to be very helpful - like locating  people in Hungary. "Magyar
Hirek" and later "Uj Magyar Hirek"  started to  be quite decent to-
ward the end, although the constant whining about ethnic minorities
started to get on my nerves  (there are  other people  of Hungarian
origin besides the ones  in neighboring countries - after all it is
supposed to be a "world" organization).
   The last I have heard about the MVSZ is that it still thinks the
government has the same policy. After the MVSZ has lost the help of
the gov't, "Uj Magyar Hirek"  also went under.  The succesor of "Uj
Magyar Hirek" is  "Magyarok Vilaglapja"  published by the "Magyarok
Vilaglapja Foundation".  The Foundation has written a letter to the
MVSZ last year looking for a way to cooperate in communicating with
people of Hungarian origin the world over. The MVSZ wrote back say-
ing that IT was willing to  take over the magazine,  which it would
receive from the Foundation as a "gift". I don't know about anybody
else, folks, but I call this unmitigated arrogance.
   The magazine has published both letters. I don't have them handy
now, but if there is enough interest I could dig them up.
   But,  I think,  such behavior  generates  suspicion  rather than
trust. What do you think?

                          Amos

Charlie Pinter's criticism is quite valid. I somewhat overemphasized the sins
of the MSZP in comparison to the activities of the SZDSZ. The reason is most
likely the preeminence of matters economic in current Hungarian politics,
where the SZDSZ has fewer sins than the MSZP. But the activities of Gabor
Fodor as minister of education and culture also deserve criticism. One may
add that the constant squabbling between coalition partners doesn't help
matters either. But let me turn now to something Greg was talking about: the
SZDSZ has no choice but to stay in the government, at least for the time
being! And it all goes back to their decision to join it in the first place.

Greg may recall that I was one of those people on this list last May who was
very much against SZDSZ joining the socialists in a coalition government. I
was very much hoping that they wouldn't and declared them to be fools if they
do. Thanks to the attitude of the right-wing parties toward the SZDSZ as a
result of their decision to join, the SZDSZ right now is in a terrible bind.
They are stranded with an unpopular austerity program and both the left and
the right at their throats. I just read something interesting on the Forum
this morning. A contributor from Budapest called attention to the fact that
Ivan Peto (president of SZDSZ) was participating in a discussion at MDF
headquarters in Lakitelep. And that the new finance minister was also a guest
there. It is possible that Peto is trying to mend fences in order to be able
to extricate the party from the coalition. But at the moment the SZDSZ has no
friends.

Now, if they had decided against joining the government last May, the
situation would be very different. They would not be squeezed between the
opposition and their coalition partners. By adding substantially to the
opposition they could have effectively criticized the socialists for ruining
the economy (which is happening anyway with them in government). Moreover, it
is clear that the MSZP is not a homogenous party and with a more responsible
opposition the party's 54 percent of seats may not have lasted for too long.

I assume that Ivan Peto is not a stupid man and he sees what an impossible
situation his party got itself. By the way, I do agree with Charlie that this
coalition will not last but if the SZDSZ wants to remain a viable political
party they first must create a political climate more conducive for their new
role in the opposition.

By the way, I was highly amused that Charlie thinks that my sympathies lie
with the liberals. He should ask some people on the left of me what they
think of me! I am a huge disappointment to the so-called liberals!

Eva Balogh

Just to remind you of my previous posting :

There is a harpsichord recital at 7pm tomorrow ,
by Borba'la Dobozy at the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary.

2950 Spring of Freedom Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Hello everyone -

I hope these are appropriate groups to send this message to. I tried to find
FAQs for them and failed. I apologize if my post is inappropriate for any of
these groups.

I am going to these countries next week. I am flying into Prague and out of
Budapest. That is about as far as my plans go. I am doing it cheap - backpack
and youth hostels type of a deal. I already have several good budget travel
guides so I don't really need recommendations there. So my questions are
below:

- What can I expect as far as temperature?
    - Take a jacket and/or shorts?

- Would it be really weird (like a bad idea/unacceptable) if I went jogging
  in a big city? In a small town? What if i had the American Runner look to
  boot? The white shoes and all?

- Is a youth hostel sleeping sheet essential or are they generally available
  rent? It would be nice not to carry one.

- Are there any clothing styles that are unacceptable? I would like to wear
  leggings and a long shirt. I am not concerned with style, but rather with
  seeming either offensive or terribly, obviously American. I know not to
  wear my KU sweatshirt and white high-tops! But sort of beyond that.

- Any suggestions on must-see places? I read about Tokaj, Hungary and it sounde
d
  nice. One girl said she would skip it. Other opinions? In addition to the
  big cities, I would like to see some nice villages or small towns. Ideas?

- Anyone know of any people in these countries that would be interested in
  getting together with an American for coffee? I would love to talk to (or
  even hang out with, if we can't communicate verbally. Unfortunately, I don't
  speak any Eastern European language) people that live there - especially in
  the smaller towns and villages.

- Know of any Web sites with information I might find useful? Or newsgroups
  or mailing lists?


Thanks so much for any suggestions. I really appreciate it!!!

Heidi
> ===================================================================
Heidi Hood                              (913) 551-5088
Computer Data Systems, Inc.             

EPA Region VII
Environmental Services Division
25 Funston Road
Kansas City, KS  66115
> ===================================================================

Attila Gabor > on 10 Mr 95 writes:

<Well, for one, after the U.S. turned down the HU. request for F-111's
<
--rest deleted

Since the published operational envelope of the aircraft mentioned makes
it unsuitable any likely mission of a small Central European country,
there must be some misunderstanding of the nature of the request. To
quote again Jane's Intelligence Review,

The Hungarians obviously would have preferred to buy Western Equipment:
the F-16 and the F-18 were considered, as was the Gripen JAS-39. But
apart from the financial question, US aircraft would not have been
delivered to a region bordering Yugoslavia.

Even with the new fighter squadron (reference is made to the MiG-29
purchase), the Hungarian Air Force remains below its CFE ceiling of 180
combat aircraft. The acquisition does not offset the regional military
balance since all of Hungary's neighbors, except Austria, already
possess MiG-29s. What is perhaps more important is the continued
dependency of Hungary on Russian spares, never mind Russian energy
supplies. This situation is compounded by the weakness of Hungary's
military-industrial base which is mainly limited to small arms,
electronics and communications equipment.

It should be noted that another great disadvantage in the use of MiG-29s
is the high fuel consumption and the short life of the plane's twin engines.
These have to be replaced after about 300 flying hours and the aircraft
altogether after 2500 flying hours as compared to the F-16's 8000 hours.

C.K. ZOLTANI

Charlie Pinter writes in addressing me:

>The only difference between us, in my
>perception, is that I feel a constant trace of palpable sympathy for SZDSZ
>behind your contributions at large, which I don't share.

I guess that is correct but given the reality of Hungarian politics what else
can one do? The other parties show even less political acumen. The question
of liberalism is a tricky one in Hungary. For example, the Bekesi/Bokros
economic program is called a liberal program. Of course, there is absolutely
nothing liberal about what the Hungarian government is trying to do: to
dismantle a welfare state.

As far as American Republicanism is concerned, there are Republicans and
Republicans. I have no sympathy for the Newt Gingrich-type of Republican,
even if he claims to be a historian!

Eva Balogh

George Frajkor writes:

>  Don't underestimate the price of potatos.  I don't know the
>situattion in Hungary, but in Slovakia there is a theory that the
>current Meciar government was re-elected and the Party of the
>Democratic Left (SDL) lost its leadinng opposition role because of potatos.

This is fascinating. Another typical East-European phenomenon. Just like in
Hungary, the Slovaks also came up with a conspiracy theory. According to some
responsible papers in Hungary there is potato shortage practically everywhere
in Europe, including Germany, where the price of potato went up considerably.
The reason is last year's weather! From Germany to Romania (I don't know what
the situation is in Poland, Bulgaria, etc.) there was an awful heatwave last
summer. I remember relatives telling me that the temperature was close to 40
degrees Celsius! I assume such a weather is not very good for the potato
crop. But just as in Slovakia, no lesser man than the minister of agriculture
was darkly talking about a "conspiracy." Of course, it is a conspiracy of
gangsters, profiteering middlemen, wholesalers and retailers! Better
Hungarian papers pointed out that in that case this conspiracy had to be an
international one because the shortage of potato didn't stop at the Hungarian
borders.

Eva Balogh

On Thu, 16 Mar 1995, Heidi Hood wrote:

> - What can I expect as far as temperature?
>     - Take a jacket and/or shorts?

Yes it may be warm.

> - Would it be really weird (like a bad idea/unacceptable) if I went jogging
>   in a big city? In a small town? What if i had the American Runner look to
>   boot? The white shoes and all?

NOt weird at all.  I suggest, though that you should run on Margitsziget,
az the air is somewhat better quality, or better yet, in the Buda Hills.
Lots of people run, especially in the morning in the Buda Hills.
Clothing is similar to the ones in America.

> - Is a youth hostel sleeping sheet essential or are they generally available
>   rent? It would be nice not to carry one.

I think it would be hard to get a youth hostel in the schoolyear.  Maybe
not, though, most youth hostels are dorms and are only available in the
summer.

> - Are there any clothing styles that are unacceptable? I would like to wear
>   leggings and a long shirt. I am not concerned with style, but rather with
>   seeming either offensive or terribly, obviously American. I know not to
>   wear my KU sweatshirt and white high-tops! But sort of beyond that.

Clothing is similar to other European countries.  They will be able to
spot you as an American, just as they can do that in other countries,
simply because American clothing styles are very distinct.  Wear whatever
you want, it's not like a big deal.

> - Any suggestions on must-see places? I read about Tokaj, Hungary and it soun
d
ed
>   nice. One girl said she would skip it. Other opinions? In addition to the
>   big cities, I would like to see some nice villages or small towns. Ideas?

Best bars on the continent :)

> - Know of any Web sites with information I might find useful? Or newsgroups
>   or mailing lists?

There are many Hunarian web sites.  Go to http://www.sch.bme.hu/  That is
one of the dorms of the Technical University in Budapest.  there are
pointers there to other sites. You can catch up with some good people in
that dorm too, email addresses are provided on the Web site.

From what time period do the Hungarian megyek (counties) originate
from (I think the Arpad era, but I'm not sure)?  Up to the time of
Trianon, had the boundaries/names changed much?

        Norb

Norbert Ja'nos Udvardy Walter      | "A Radical is a man with both feet
Fort Worth, Texas, USA             |  firmly planted--in the air."
Internet:          |
FidoNet:   1:130/911.6212          |              -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

No argument Csaba.  However, Saab was very willing to sell some short
range interceptors (perfect for Central European defensive operations).
Hungary turned the Saab down and decided to go with the Migs (may I say
quite understandably, given Hungary's gloom economic situation).


                                                        Attila

Two close friends of mine here in Hungary (recent newlyweds) are preparing
to move to New York City for their MBAs.  They both speak near-flawless
English and have been to America several times.  Both of them are taking the
GMAT next Saturday here in Budapest, and their TOEFL/TWE exams will follow
shortly thereafter.

Their goal is to get accepted to the relatively inexpensive MBA program at
Baruch College, the admissions deadline of which isn't until June.  Then
they want to come back to Hungary and put their MBAs to work.  In addition
to their English, these two friends of mine have an impressive resume
(Budapest University of Economics, ING Bank, etc...).

What they don't have is money.  And they've turned up nothing in their
pursuit of scholarships and loans.  The only assistance they've found comes
from fairly removed relatives in New York willing to put them up for a few
months.

So, my questions are these:

1.)   Does anybody have any ideas as to where these two Hungarians might be
able to find financial aid, even loans, for their studies?

2.)   Does anybody know any Hungarian companies with offices in or near NYC,
or where a list of such companies might be found?  Their contingency plan is
that one of them would pursue the MBA while the other works.  It would
probably be easier for them to find jobs with Hungarian companies...

Thanks for your help,

Edward Schmidt