HUNGARY 365

At the close of 314 hours of discussion Gyéngy6si speaking without
objection from ‘any of the other Hungarian representatives who were
present stated that the Hungarian Govt could not voluntarily consent
to receiving 200,000 Hungarians from Zecho, even on the fair terms.
proposed by Clementis, but added that if the 3 Great Powers sug-
gested to the Hungarian Govt that it should accept this solution and
make the suggestion in such a manner as to make it clear that the
Hungarian Govt was acting on the advice of the 3 Great Powers his
Government would be prepared to act accordingly.*®

Clementis then informed me that he desires the British and Soviet
Ambassador and myself to inquire of our respective governments
whether they would be prepared to inform the Hungarian Govt that
they would welcome a solution of the Zecho Hungarian difficulties by
the acceptance into Hungary from Zecho of 200,000 Hungarians on
the terms outlined above. Clementis was most earnest in arguing
that if the American, British and Soviet Govts could be induced to
make the desired démarche he was reasonably certain that one of the
“sore spots” of Central Europe would be removed and that excellent
relations between Zecho and Hungary would result. He pointed out
that the Zecho Govt was evidencing its good faith by not insisting
that all Hungarians be removed from Zecho and in reply to my in-
quiry as to the number who would remain be said about the same
number as would be transferred under the per capita exchange plus
the number involved in his proposal which he estimated at 300,000.

Sent Dept 345, repeated Budapest 22.

STEINHARDT

 

T60F.64/3-—746 : Telegram

[he Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Czechoslovakia
(Steinhardt) *7

SECRET Wasuineron, March 21, 1946—7 p. m.

224, Your views are requested on proposal by Clementis urtel 345
Mar 7 repeated to Budapest as 22. Dept considers that early settle-
ment of Zecho-Hungarian population transfer is desirable and is will-
ing to consider Clementis proposal as possible solution. Do you con-
sider that three power démarche would result in solution acceptable
to Zecho and Hungary and would both states regard settlement as
definitive? Dept considers further action beyond joint démarche by
three powers would not be desirable in view of discussion of Hungarian

* Telegram 565, March 22, 1946. from Budapest, reported that Clementis’ ac-
count of his meeting with GyingyGési did not correspond with a version provided
by a Hungarian spokesman. The Hungarian version stressed, in particular,
that Gyéngyési, with the concurrence of all the Hungarian political leaders pres-
ent. unconditionally rejected Clementis’ proposal. (760F.64/3-2246)

* Sent to Budapest as telegram No. 293.