Lockheed Martin at the centre of Hungarian political resignations

Published: 5/26/1999

On May 20th 1999, in Hungary, two political state secretaries, Ms Gabriella Selmeczi and Mr István Balsay, tendered their resignations, following revelations that a letter signed by them, a third political state secretary and a total of 31 coalition MPs, had been sent to US Senators, Mr Jesse Helms and Mr Joseph Biden. It was alleged that the letter lobbied for the appointment of Mr Steven Jones as the next US ambassador to Budapest. Mr Jones is a member of the Hungarian section of the US Chamber of Commerce and an executive of Lockheed Martin, the corporation that aims to sell F-16 fighters to Hungary. Neither Ms Selmeczi nor Mr Balsay denied press reports that they may be linked to Lockheed. Ms Selmeczi's friend, Mr Gábor Rónai, was an employee of the firm, responsible for industrial co-operation, although not officially involved with the business of F-16 fighters. The third political state secretary, Ms Béla Gyuricza, who has visited the headquarters of the US company several times, is currently under treatment in hospital. The Hungarian Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying that the cabinet members who were signatories of the letter accept responsibility for their actions. Mr István Stumpf, PMO Minister, said in a radio statement that, in tendering their resignations, the two state secretaries had acknowledged professional misjudgement, which could have resulted in serious international consequences. He added, however, that it is not known whether the letter, published by Népszava is genuine, claiming that the letter signed by the state secretaries was not sent and that its original copy remained in Hungary. The cabinet will set up an investigating committee to examine the case. The leadership of the Fidesz caucus held a special meeting on the evening of May 20th 1999 to probe the incident. Mr József Szájer, Caucus Leader, confirmed that the leadership approves of the resignation of the state secretaries and has appointed Mr László Surján, Deptuy Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, to conduct a probe. Two Smallholders also signed the letter, although Ms Béla Túri-Kovács, Deputy Group Leader of Smallholder, claimed they had no idea of what they had signed. The third coalition partner, the Democratic Forum, was not involved. Magyar Hírlap and Népszabadság both report that Mr Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister, will accept the two resignations. However, Világgazdaság quotes Mr Gábor Borókai, Cabinet spokesman, as saying that Mr Orbán will weigh the circumstances and wants to be informed personally before making a decision. Magyar Nemzet details a number of possible political motivations it believes may be behind the case. Meanwhile, Népszabadság reports that Mr Bill Clinton, US President, and MsMadeleine Albright, Secretary of State, confirmed Mr Peter Tufo, the present US ambassador to Hungary, in his post. Mr Tufo expressed surprised at the letter, considering it odd, but not of any major significance. He added that he would fulfil his tenure and proceed with his work in developing eastern Hungary. Mr Tufo further commented that President Árpád Göncz, and, on behalf of the cabinet, Mr Zsolt Németh, Political State Secretary at the Foreign Ministry, had both apologised for the incident. Világgazdaság quotes Mr Tufo as saying that the Fidesz MPs' letter indeed exists and has been received in the USA. Kossuth Rádió later reported that Mr József Szájer, Caucus Leader, had announced the additional resignation of Ms Annamária Szalai, a Fidesz member of Parliament's foreign affairs committee.

Article ID: 545