His Excellency Mr László KOVACS

Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary

BUDAPEST

Republic of Hungary

The Hague

26 February 1997

Reference:

No 144/97/L

Dear Mr Minister,

May I first of all thank you for the effective help your Ministry gave me in preparing various contacts in Budapest regarding the situation of the Slovak minority in Hungary.

In previous recommendations I have referred to the need for a law regarding the implementation of article 68 of the Constitution of Hungary which foresees a direct representation of the various national minorities in Hungary in the Hungarian Parliament. I was glad to hear that a number of obstacles standing in the way of a solution of this problem now seem to have been removed. At the same time I express the hope that a determined effort will be made to speed up the preparation of a draft-law on this subject and its subsequent submission to Parliament. This would open the way to a direct representation of the national minorities in the Parliament which is due to be elected in 1998.

My second recommendation regards the question of the programme in the Slovak language in public radio service and television. I have been informed that the regional radio programmes in the Slovak language - 90 minutes a day - are being cancelled on days that the Hungarian Parliament is in session and replaced by reports on the parliamentary debates. I would express the hope that efforts presently undertaken to find a solution which guarantees 90 minutes broadcast every day without such cancellations will soon be successful. In addition, I express the hope that it will soon be possible to establish better contacts between the management of Hungarian Public Radio and T.V. and representatives of the Slovak minority.

I noticed with satisfaction that the basic contribution provided by the state for the work of minority Self-Government has been increased for the current year. I express the hope that, notwithstanding the difficult financial situation of Hungary, a further increase will prove to be possible for the year 1998.

The interest of members of the Slovak community in Hungary in ensuring a proper training in the Slovak language seems to be affected by their wish to have their children learn English, German or French. I hope that your Government will be ready to consult with the Hungarian national Self-Government on ways to revive the interest in learning the Slovak language without undermining the principle of freedom of parental choice.

Yours sincerely,

Max van der Stoel

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities