Modern History Sourcebook:
Hungary 1956
Statement of the Soviet Government, October 30, 1956The Soviet Government regards it as indispensable to make a statement in connection
with the events in Hungary.The course of the events has shown that the working people of Hungary, who have
achieved great progress on the basis of their people's democratic order, correctly raise
the question of the necessity of eliminating serious shortcomings in the field of economic
building, the further raising of the material well-being of the population, and the
struggle against bureaucratic excesses in the state apparatus.However, this just and progressive movement of the working people was soon joined by
forces of black reaction and counterrevolution, which are trying to take advantage of the
discontent of part of the working people to undermine the foundations of the people's
democratic order in Hungary and to restore the old landlord and capitalist order.The Soviet Government and all the Soviet people deeply regret that the development of
events in Hungary has led to bloodshed. On the request of the Hungarian People's
Government the Soviet Government consented to the entry into Budapest of the Soviet Army
units to assist the Hungarian People's Army and the Hungarian authorities to establish
order in the town. Believing that the further presence of Soviet Army units in Hungary can
serve as a cause for even greater deterioration of the situation, the Soviet Government
has given instructions to its military command to withdraw the Soviet Army units from
Budapest as soon as this is recognized as necessary by the Hungarian Government.At the same time, the Soviet Government is ready to enter into relevant negotiations
with the Government of the Hungarian People's Republic and other participants of the
Warsaw Treaty on the question of the presence of Soviet troops on the territory of
Hungary.
Imry Nage: Last Message (November 4, 1956)This fight is the fight for freedom by the Hungarian people against the Russian
intervention, and it is possible that I shall only be able to stay at my post for one or
two hours. The whole world will see how the Russian armed forces, contrary to all treaties
and conventions, are crushing the resistance of the Hungarian people. They will also see
how they are kidnapping the Prime Minister of a country which is a Member of the United
Nations, taking him from the capital, and therefore it cannot be doubted at all that this
is the most brutal form of intervention. I should like in these last moments to ask the
leaders of the revolution, if they can, to leave the country. I ask that all that I have
said in my broadcast, and what we have agreed on with the revolutionary leaders during
meetings in Parliament, should be put in a memorandum, and the leaders should turn to all
the peoples of the world for help and explain that today it is Hungary and tomorrow, or
the day after tomorrow, it will be the turn of other countries because the imperialism of
Moscow does not know borders, and is only trying to play for tine.
Source:FromDepartment of State Bulletin, Nov. 12, 1956, pp. 746-747.
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© Paul Halsall, July 1998
halsall@murray.fordham.edu
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