[Title] Hungarian Revolution : Radio Messages from Prime Minister Imre Nagy

I Announcing the Formation of a New Government (28 October 1956)

During the course of the past week bloody events took place with tragic rapidity. The fatal consequences of the terrible mistakes and crimes of these past 10 years unfold before us in these painful events which we are witnessing and in which we are participating. During the course of 1,000 years of history, destiny was not sparing in scourging our people and nation. But such a thing has never before afflicted our country.

The Government condemns the viewpoints according to which the present formidable movement is a counterrevolution. Without doubt, as always happens at times of great popular movements, this movement too was used by criminal elements to compromise it and commit common criminal acts. It is also a fact that reactionary and counterrevolutionary elements had penetrated into the movement with the aim of overthrowing the popular democratic regime.

But it is also indisputable that in these stirrings a great national democratic movement, embracing and unifying all our people, developed with elemental force. This movement aims at guaranteeing our national freedom, independence, and sovereignty, of advancing our society, our economic and political system on the way of democracy for this is the only foundation for socialism in our country. The great movement exploded because of the grave crimes committed during the past historic period.

The situation was further aggravated by the fact that up to the very last, the [Party] leadership had not decided to break finally with the old and criminal policy. It is this above all which led in the tragic fratricidal fight in which so many patriots died on both sides. In the course of these battles was born the Government of democratic national unity, independence, and socialism which will become the true expression of the will of the people. This is the firm resolution of the Government.

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II Proclamation on the Creation of a Multi-Party System (30 October 1956)

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In the interest of the further democratization of the country's life, the Cabinet abolishes the one-party system and places the country's Government on the basis of democratic cooperation between the coalition parties, reborn in 1945. In accordance with this it sets up an inner Cabinet within the national Government. The members of this Cabinet are Imre Nagy, Zoltá n Tildy, Béla Ková cs, Ferenc Erdei, Já nos Ká dá r, Géza Losonczy, and a person to be nominated by the Social Democrat Party. The Government will submit a proposal to the Presidential Council of the People's Republic to elect Já nos Kadá r and Géza Losonczy as Ministers of State.

The national Government appeals to the headquarters of Soviet forces immediately to begin the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the territory of Budapest. At the same time, the national Government informs the people of the country that it will begin negotiations without delay with the Government of the USSR about the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary.

I announce, on behalf of the national Government, that it recognizes the democratic organs of local autonomy which have been brought into existence by the revolution, that it relies on them and asks for their support.

Hungarian brethren, patriots! Loyal citizens of the Fatherland! Safeguard the achievements of the revolution, safeguard order by every means and restore calm. No blood should be shed in our country by fratricide. Prevent any kind of disturbance and safeguard life and property by every means at your disposal.

My Hungarian brethren, workers, peasants! Stand beside the national Government in the hour of this fateful decision. Long live free, democratic, and independent Hungary!

III Declaration of Hungarian Neutrality (1 November 1956)

People of Hungary! The Hungarian national Government, imbued with profound responsibility toward the Hungarian people and history, and giving expression to the undivided will of the Hungarian millions, declares the neutrality of the Hungarian People's Republic.

The Hungarian people, on the basis of independence and equality and in accordance with the spirit of the U. N. Charter, wishes to live in true friendship with its neighbors, the Soviet Union, and all the peoples of the world.

The Hungarian people desire the consolidation and further development of the achievements of its national revolution without joining any power blocs. The century-old dream of the Hungarian people is thus fulfilled. The revolutionary struggle fought by the Hungarian heroes of the past and present has at last carried the cause of freedom and independence to victory. The heroic struggle has made it possible to implement, in the international relations of our people, its fundamental national interest-neutrality.

We appeal to our neighbors, countries near and far, to respect the unalterable decision of our people. It is true indeed that today our people are as united in this decision as perhaps never before in their history.

Working millions of Hungary! With revolutionary determination, self-sacrificing work, and the consolidation of order ; protect and strengthen our country-free, independent, democratic and neutral Hungary.

IV Announcing an Attack by Soviet Forces on the Hungarian Government (4 November 1956)

This is Imre Nagy, chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Hungarian People's Republic, speaking. In the early hours of this morning, the Soviet troops launched an attack against our capital city with the obvious intention of overthrowing the lawful, democratic, Hungarian Government. Our troops are fighting. The Government is in its place. I inform the people of the country and world public opinion of this.