The past six months in relations between Hungary and Slovakia were especially hard and unpleasant “and what happened damaged both countries in the eyes of the world,” Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcák said in an interview with a Slovak website.
“It would by irresponsible of me to blame the Hungarian side exclusively for the worsening atmosphere,” he said, adding that the presence of the far right Slovak National Party in Slovakia’s ruling coalition is “an umbrella under which many people could put many things”.
In addition, Lajcák continued, Hungary had used adjectives in regard to Slovakia that do not belong in the vocabulary of EU and NATO allies. “Some mentioned Nuremberg laws, racism, fascism, and I have to draw attention to the emotional campaign waged against us in the European Parliament”.
He blamed among others the Hungarian media, intelligentsia and civil society for the present situation.
Lajcák underlined that inter-governmental relations should be rationalised after parliamentary elections in both countries next year. “We cannot allow ourselves to have such a bad four years as the past half year was, because then both countries would hurt their international reputation,” he warned.
The Foreign Minister’s comments are certainly a step in the right
direction. However, the Slovak language law is not only “a tiff”
between the two countries, it is a serious violation of human
rights. As such, it should be a concern of the entire European
Union, one of whose purposes were exactly to dispose this type
of mistreatment of ethnic minorities (especially if one of those
make up 10+ percent of the country’s population).
It is indeed unfortunate, that the ultra-nationalis party, led by
Slota is able to exert such an influence in shaping Slovakian
politics. When Slovakia was trying to become part of NATO, and
later accepted into the EU, we, here in Minneapolis, MN., worked
jointly with our Polish, Czech and Slovak friends to make that
happen. I believe we still hold the strong belief that these
Central European countries need each other for prosperity and,
perhaps, even to insure long range existence. See how much
joint progress was possible when the V-4 cooperation was
working well.
By the way, I don’t recall the Slovakian Government espoused
animosity toward the Hungarians or rejected their assistance
during the time they were trying to insure entry into NATO or
the EU. Nor do we know of ANY LAWS in Hungary that would fine
members of Slovakian minority for speaking Slovakian language
at any time, anywhere in Hungary.
What is happening now in Slovakia?
After the end of WWI, -as part of the Trianon treaty-, Czechoslovakia received a large part of dismembered Hungary. Thereby, without moving, just because the borders been redrawn around them, Hungarians became foreigners in their own towns and villages.
· After WWII, under the disguise of reprisal for “collective guilt”, – but in reality with the goal of ethnic cleansing -, President Benes, deported tens of thousands of Hungarians, and confiscating all their property.
· In 1997, Prime Minister Meciar diverted Hungary’s border river, the Danube and thereby destroyed the unique plant and animal life that evolved in the Szigetköz (and is protected by the Rio Convention), because it evolved in the delta of the ancient Pannon Sea.
· This year the Slovak president signed a „Language Law” and established the „language police” which can hand out fines of up to 5,000 Euros, if Hungarians use their own language in their own towns.
· Today Slovakia’s ultranationalistic government, – which is trying to stay in power, is stirring ethnic hatred among people who lived in peace for a thousand years. It is staging this hate campaign aganist the same Hungarians who’s Diet in 1849 was the first in the word to establish minority rights for all of Hungary’s minorities, including her Slovak minorities.
The inaction of the international and European communities is shameful, because they are disregarding their own charters and declarations. This is the case, because the right of minorities to use their own languages is guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 27), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the Council of Europe’s treaties: the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and the OSCE Copenhagen Document of 1990.
Sincerely,
Béla Lipták, PE
President
Lipták Associates, PC
84 Old N. Stamford Rd.
Stamford CT 06905
T: 203-357-7614
F: 203-325-3922
E: liptakbela@aol.com
It is both a great privilege and surprise to see a letter on this forum by a person of Professor Béla Lipták’s academic and national stature.
Does Professor Lipták realize that most topics selected for this forum appear to be designed to reflect patriotic Hungarians in a bad light?
It would be much better if his comments were published in major European papers, including Hungarian papers with the original English version and Hungarian translation.
Does anyone have links to Hungarian or Slovak sources in Slovakia that shows the actual implementation of this new law?
Please publish them here, so we all can judge for ourself how the law is being implemented.
I would suggest that people refrain from telling stories that they heard from some one, just to actual links to media inside the Slovak Republic that tells about legal cases that have happened, as detailed as possible.
Dear Prof. Lipták,
Welcome to this message board community! Around here we’ve been discussing this Slovak language law quite a bit. Your historical and legal summation is spot on and I agree with it. Behind the curtain of legalism, as one world experienced person to another, I have to ask aloud, why is it like this? Will the international community continue to ignore the issue?
In the past I have offered a few thoughts on this, and would like to get your feedback.
1)That both Slovakia and Hungary are viewed by the movers and shakers in the international community as marginal unimportant peoples, and that any tensions between us can be ignored as an irrelevant sideshow. I fear that the “important” people view us as a European version of the Tutsis and Hutus, who were allowed to go at each other because the outside world didn’t think they were important enough to care about.
2)There is no natural resource wealth in the Hungarian areas of Slovakia to make the matter interesting to multinationals and their govts.
3)That the matter reflects our lack of clout with the govts of the great powers, as well as our ineffectiveness as lobbyists.
4)That the EU and others fear boundary revisions and irredentist claims, especially involving Hungary and the Carpathian region. That by ignoring the language law, they think they are helping to preserve the status quo.
Best regards,
Laci
One must hate Prof. Lipták to want him around here
Mark,
Not even you have any links to finished, current or pending court cases when the Slovak Language Law has been implemented?
So we all speak about ‘expected implementation of a law’?
@ Viking;
Why provide anything to you…you’d only deam them forged.
sorry for the type “O”, it should read deem and not deam.
@justasking
I was very surprised to see Prof. Lipták post here because he is much too good for this list. He is an internationally recognized water resources expert with impeccable credentials as a Hungarian freedom fighter. He is much too nice to Hungarian hater scumbags that spit on him time and time again. I have never seen him respond unkindly to them but it does nothing to diminish their hatred for this idealist. He does not belong here.
@ Mark;
I know and I find that quite sad. Back in October, a poster by the name of Linus I think it was, shared some memories with us about his 56′ experience. I don’t think he lasted more than a couple of days before he left in discussed.
Linus never went away!
@justasking
Here is a link you may find interesting:
http://hungary56.bard.edu/participants/BelaLiptak.shtml
@ Mark;
I appreciate you sending that link.
Dear Mark and Zsuzsa,
Seeing Lipták’s post took me a bit by surprise. I wouldn’t be surprised if we never hear from him again.
I felt Linus when he was here, I felt his absence as well. I’m directly responsible for him changing his mind and leaving us, when I informed him of the nature of this forum; about the lack of moderation, username impersonation and multiple identities. But then better to hear it from me rather than find out the hard way! (He had no idea, he responded to an invitation that I sent out to Hungarian organizations worldwide to share their memories with us about ’56.) Not everyone is attracted to discourse under such conditions.
Dear Discreet,
Linus is still “with” us only if you click on
“Remembering ’56: Let the people speak”
http://www.politics.hu/20091022/remembering-56-let-the-people-speak#comment
In terms of participation here, I think he is gone. He struck me as a sincere, no bullshit man. When he said he was leaving us, he meant it and he was a man of his word. I don’t believe he is still posting here, if that is what you mean, because I believe that masquerading under multiple usernames would have been alien to his nature, as it is to mine.
@justasking
I first found out about Prof. Lipták from some attacks directed at him. I decided to find out more about him and it was very impressive. What sets him apart from most people fighting for Hungarian causes is his stubborn insistence of treating his enemies, even those enemies who spit on him, with kindness. It is easy to admire people like Prof. Lipták but it is not easy or even desirable for everyone to follow his example.
As you should have found out, I am not anything like Prof. Lipták. I have absolutely no use for those who I consider Hungarian haters or those who wish to take advantage of Hungarians. Still, one has to give credit to Prof. Lipták for all his fine work as a patriotic Hungarian and as an internationally recognized water resources expert.
@ Farkas László
I read Linus’ posts. Linus does not belong here any more than Prof. Lipták. I am not even sure if you belong here…
Kedves Mark!
Your last comment I of course take as a compliment! You know what they say: “Fools rush in, where wise men fear to tread”!
Happy New Year!
Laci
@ Mark;
No, I hear you. I, on the other hand, would not say shit if my mouth was full of it.
@justasking
If I were the innocent young man, I was many years ago, you comment would put me in a state of shock. It brings to mind my initial shock on my first job, hearing some women talk. We never talked dirty at home. When my father missed a nail doing some work, around the house he slip out an “az istenit” but that was the limit of his “rough talk”. I was not prepared for people to talk dirty, especially in an office environment but in time, I got used to it. I do not like it but I can take it and give as good or bad as the next person.
This reminds me of Dr. Morvai’s retort to the Jews who were harassing her on the Deák Ferenc Civic Forum website. Some clown like to make a big thing of her retort but you never see some of the filth those “fine and sensitive Jewish gentlemen” shoved in her direction before she gave them the response they hoped. I could not find the list. It is probably a closed list and we are only getting the stuff that her detractors want us to see.
As a young man, I would have been shocked but now I say, go girl!
@ Viking;
Why provide anything to you…you’d only deam them forged.
justasking at January 3, 2010 4:08 PM
—
No, but I would like at it at face value.
So, here we had this Slovak Language Law being enforced since September 1, 2009 and really no law cases in Slovakia?
Given about 500.000 Hungarian-speakers in Slovakia it is a bit puzzling that none has been even sued for speaking Hungarian.
NB! I do not defend the Slovak Language Law as it seems ‘a bit strange’ to speak mildly, but if it is not used the way many Hungarians in Hungary has predicted, maybe we should look at the Law in another light?
As I understand the Language Law is badly written so many things can be included upon the reader’s imagination.
Regarding Mr. Farkas question on the Internal Community’s reaction to the Law, I think they are waiting for the actual implementation of the Law and after that evaluate the situation.
@Mark;
When a women works in a male dominated environment, (I’m not talking a couple of guys here and there, I’m talking a couple of women here and there) you learn how to be “on” all the time. I say this because I have experienced it. Every corner, “men” are waiting for you to screw up, harrasment, because you have the nerve to be there, resentment, especially if you do just as well or in my case, wiped the floor with them. Do not get me wrong, not all the guys were/are like that, just enough for a woman to eventually burn-out from the constant stress of being targeted. People seem to conveniently forget that actions get reactions.
Also, I was thinking about your comment about Hungarian husbands changing diapers, or lack there of. My 81 Father, on occasion, and pending on the type, has changed his 2 grandkids diapers…backwards mind you; but, changed non the less.
Viking;
First off. Do you really think a Hungarian, living in Slovakia, taking a case to the Slovakian courts, about a controversial Language Law, will receive a fair trial? That judge would be under a microscope for his ruling, lets not talk about the reaction to his ruling if infact it went towards the Hungarian. I’m sure he and his family would feel real safe from some of his fellow countrymen. Just face it, when it comes to anything Hungarian, you tend to be more critical and suspicious of the Hungarian side. Is it something to be ashamed of, no; but for God sake just admit it and leave it at that.
@justasking
Over the years, it has changed a lot in America and women do not have to be like men to be accepted and appreciated for their abilities.
Do you really think a Hungarian, living in Slovakia, taking a case to the Slovakian courts, about a controversial Language Law, will receive a fair trial?
justasking at January 4, 2010 5:01 PM
—
You got it wrong – it is the other way around.
I miss all these cases of Hungarian-speakers being slapped with fines etc.
That is something the ‘Slovak Nationalists’ would be loving to do.
My problem is that I do not see any such cases.
If they exist I assume Hungarian TV would be full of those cases and people would collect the money for the fines etc.
Then of course we also know that our resident ‘Hungarian Nationalists’ would be informing us about every detail of these court cases, including who of the Slovaks are Jews etc.
Instead we have total silence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B3TsgSzHd4
Huncillin (aka Law and numerous aliases) throws in a video with the extremely relevant title “Jesus the Galilean”.
What has this to do with the Slovak Language Law.
@Viking:
It’s no use trying to reason with Law and his “friends”, you should know …
Back to the article and HU/SK relations:
Just saw on TV how the Slovaks brought back those Hungarian mountaineers – wow, they didn’t let them rot!
I thought they hate the Hungarians so much …
Farkas László: Do the Hungarian-speaking folk in Slovakia consider themselves to be Slovakian? Or, are they just displaced souls courtesy of the Trianon Treaty?
And another: Is the disputed language
law just the murmurings of a more deep-rooted problem i.e. the “forced integration”
of an ethnic minority into a Slovakian melting pot
for expediency sake?
@ Mark
I don’t believe that North America’s attitude has changed as much as you think it has. Maybe on the surface; but, not in it’s core.
Standing up for oneself, aggressive and assertive behaviour when a situation calls for it, are not to me “trying to be like a man to be accepted”. More like a strong willed female (and your going to appreciate this one)showing those good ol’ boys how the cow ate the cabbage.
Cows, cabbage, and North America? Attitudes from another continent? All very relevant stuff to the Hungary-Slovakia tiff to which the main article refers.
John Wayne single-handedly defeated the red indians,
the Germans, the Japanese, the Mexicans, and anyone else that cared to get in his, and Uncle Sam’s, way.
I’m rambling now..see how it feels..?
(non-sequitur-maniac)
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills
But suddenly my golden balloon was burst
By such a clumsy man twice cursed!
@ NSQ;
Don’t bother me, ramble away.
Dear Quo vadis,
I’d say the answer to all three of your questions is a “yes”. They do consider themselves citizens of Slovakia (whether they like that or not). Yes they were displaced by the Trianon treaty. Yes the language law is a sign of a deeper problem, involving issues of assimilation, majority rule combined with fears of irredentism and secession (It’s happened before, in 1938).
Thank you Farkas László. It appears that once the cake is cut it is nigh impossible to restore it.
I traveled deep into Erdély territory where whole villages where ostensibly – Hungarian.
A very strange feeling for a foreigner like me who is/was ignorant of Trianon etc.
I thought I was in Rumania!
The people seemed contented and we had a very nice time.
regards,QV.
Hungarians should rather listen to the words of foreign minister M. Lajcak, because the answer from him is the best they can get.
Miroslav Lajcak as a former EU High Representative in Bosnia and a nonpolitical nominee is a well distinguished diplomat, who knows very well
what he’s talking about. EU is getting annoyed from endless Hungarian complaints and grievances. If Hungary will continue this way, the only thing it will achieve, will be a damage of its reputation. If Hungarian politicians think they can
throw dirt at others at stay clean in the meantime, they’re quite mistaken.