A trobriandi krikettől... - Magyar Elektronikus Könyvtár ...

„I believe in the strength of Hungarian culture, and I know that the Hungarian people within
and outside of the borders of Hungary will be able to survive in the Carpathian basin. And
they do not need any support. If we were supported, it was always disadvantageous and we
always had to pay its price.”
The respondents of this group – first of all those against NATO – vigorously criticized the
media for their one-sided information. They argued that the news, television, radio did not
help them to make an informed decision, since only the advantages could be read or heard.
„I am very poorly informed about NATO. I had not been supplied with enough information.
And what I know, I do not understand a word of it. The government tells only lies even if he
puts questions. What I have been told in this topic, is not authentic or credible to me.”
The anti-integration voice in this group was quite strong and had very emotional arguments.
They felt that this process of joining NATO and EU is something forced on them.
„The Swiss and the Danish people have solved this question very well, when they decided, it
was better for them to be alone.”
„Hungary differs from the West in her culture, development of her economy, habits. As to
economy, Hungary should stay on her own foot. And then, if NATO or EU say, OK, your are
welcome, we could join by our own decision without any force. We do not need to toady to
them, as we do it to EU.”
„We always wanted to be neutral, independent and free. We did not want to join anybody.
These characteristics are really Hungarian values. And now, when we have achieved the
goal, we give up. We feel an undetermined inducement to join NATO. We hated the Warsaw
Pact and now we voluntarily join an other one. Why We could manage it alone as well. And
let me ask, why is NATO more European then Warsaw Pact used to be Instead of one red
start now we have fifty.”
„A treaty should work on a voluntary basis. In the previous military and economic treaties we
were exploited, and to certain extent NATO is the same.”
Although neutrality was always preferred, it was acknowledged that with respect to the safety
of Hungary against her possible enemies, NATO was the only alternative. But its only
positive feature was its ability and power to defend us.
„Serbia has already announced joining the Independent States of the former Soviet Union.
After the years of the Warsaw Pact this was no alternative for us. And now we are on the
other side. Soviet Union, China and the countries around them are practically on the opposite
side. And if we have to cope with them which I hope will not occur, then we have no other
choice than NATO. We have to regard it form such a practical point of view.”
„It would have been good to remain neutral and independent, but we have to understand that
in the present economic situation it is impossible. Apart from our geographical situation,
neutrality, which we wanted so much, cannot be realized. We are too small, to weak and we
need some bigger power behind us.”
NATO membership is already an accomplished fact. In connection with joining the EU,
however, the Hungarian people have still a choice. Let us see, how members of this focus
group think about joining the European Union. In the argumentation Hungarian interests and
self confidence stay in the foreground.
„Before joining we have to consider very thoroughly the advantages and disadvantages in
connection with the EU membership. We must not join until our most important interests are
accepted by the EU members. I mean land ownership, agriculture, and food production which
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