ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:96013003.WWE
DATE:01/30/96
TITLE:30-01-96  BOSNIA INVOLVEMENT SPURS HUNGARY'S DESIRE TO BE IN NATO

TEXT:
(Parliamentarian yearns for European stability) (350)
By Vance Phillips
USIA Staff Writer

Washington -- The historic Dayton peace agreement, successful
operations with the Bosnian peace Implementation Force (IFOR) and the
desire for lasting peace have increased Hungary's aspiration for
membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), according
to the chairman of the Hungarian parliament's foreign affairs
committee.

In a January 30 National Press Club news briefing, Dr. Matyas Eorsi
said "Hungary does not want to join NATO for the military protection
... our choice is based on the value of long-term stability in
Europe."

He emphasized that the U.S. efforts to bring about the Dayton peace
agreement should "serve as an example for the rest of Europe."
However, he said, "the one fault of the Dayton proceedings is that
warring factions were not 'forced' to observe the minority rights of
Bosnian civilians ... this should have been done before the agreement
was signed."

Dr. Eorsi commended U.S. officials for making the "difficult decision
to send U.S. troops to Bosnia." Seeing this, he said, "made us feel
obligated to send a Hungarian technical division" to assist in the
rebuilding of bridges.

Working with the Implementation Force has helped improve military
communications between Hungary and NATO troops, he added. Even though
the primary goal of Hungarian troops is to assist IFOR in revitalizing
Bosnia, he said he hopes that their contributions will move his
country closer to NATO membership.

The parliamentarian said he is concerned about Russia's opposition to
Hungary's effort to become a member of NATO. "We understand why Russia
feels this way. It would be a mistake to ignore their needs, but it is
also a mistake to try and meet all of their needs ... a compromise
needs to be reached in order to avoid possible political
confrontation," he said.

He also called deployment of U.S. troops in Hungary "a real success."
There were some initial concerns, Eorsi said, but the troops have been
very cordial. "They have opened their bases to the Hungarian children
and adults, creating a 'fun' relationship between the troops and
civilians."
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