January 27, 1998

Three Hungarian and one Ruthenian civil organizations in Slovakia began a drive to collect 100,000 signatures on a petition calling on the Slovak Parliament to adopt a Minority Language Law. Its sponsors are the nationwide Hungarian cultural organization Csemadok, the Ruthenian Revival Movement, the Federation of Hungarian Pedagogues in Slovakia and the Federation of Hungarian Parents in Slovakia. [News Mirror - DAHR MTI Press Service, (Budapest), Jan. 27 1998]

January 27, 1998

The Co-Existence Political Movement is recommending that Hungarian students and parents not take advantage of the ``opportunity’’ to pay the duty on non-official translations of their report cards since these, in effect, will be worthless. [News Mirror - DAHR MTI Press Service, (Budapest), Jan. 27 1998]

January 27, 1998

The Hungarian Coalition protested the planned amendment of the Election Law which would raise the threshold to 5 percent per party, a figure that neither Hungarian political party could achieve alone. [News Mirror - DAHR MTI Press Service, (Budapest), Jan. 27 1998]

January 22, 1998

The Hungarian government has rejected the appointment by Slovakia of two marginal political figures to represent ethnic Hungarians in the meeting of the joint committee reviewing implementation of the Hungarian-Slovak Bilateral Agreement following protests by the Hungarian parties represented in the Slovak Parliament. [Neue Züricher Zeitung, (Zürich), Jan. 24. 1998]

January 22, 1998

Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar’s party, the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia announced that it will begin criminal proceedings against President Michal Kovac once his appointment expires n March 2 and he looses his immunity. The Party did not specify on what grounds it would pursue indictment. [News Mirror - DAHR MTI Press Service, (Budapest), Jan. 22. 1998]

January 19, 1998

It seems that the Slovak government has chosen István György as one of two people to represent the Hungarian minority in the Slovak —Hungarian Joint Committee on Minority Affairs.. The move was condemned by the Hungarian Coalition of which György’s party, the Hungarian Popular Movement is not a member and which did not garner enough votes to gain parliamentary representation. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Jan. 19 and 21, 1997]

January 16, 1998

The Foreign Ministry has chosen the two ethnic Hungarians to represent the community in the joint committee monitoring compliance with the yet to be signed Hungarian—Slovak Bilateral Agreement. The identities of the persons, apart from their ethnicity, have not been made public. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Jan. 16, 1997]

Hungarian Foreign Minister László Kovács agreed to meet with his Slovak counterpart Zdenka Kramplová on January 22, 1998 to discuss collaboration in foreign affair initiatives and the protocol of the Hungarian-Slovak Bilateral Agreement. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Jan. 14, 1997]

January 15, 1998
The Federation of Hungarian Teachers in Slovakia took upon itself to mail prototypes for semi-annual report cards to all schools where students are receiving Slovak only documents. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Jan. 15, 1997]

January 13, 1998
Slovak Parliament President Ivan Gasparovic announced that presidential elections will be postponed from January 23 by six days in order not to clash with a Central European leaders’ summit being held in Slovakia. [OMRI Slovak Daily Digest, Jan.14, 1998]

January 11, 1998
In response to an Új Szó reporter’s question why in Nitra/Nyitra County the Matica Slovenská is distributing school bags and supplies only to children who attend Slovak—language schools, an employee responded ``because we are in Slovakia and in fact all children should be attending Slovak schools.’’ [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Jan. 14, 1997]

January 9, 1998
According to recent press reports, OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel issued a letter to the Slovak government calling for endorsement of law on minority-language protection. Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement Vice President Pál Csáky confirmed that in December 1997, the European Union, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe agreed to jointly urge for a law safeguarding the use of minority-language in Slovakia. Moreover, Csáky applauded the international organizations’ decision to reject the Slovak government’s memorandum, which declared such a law pointless, and for making such minority-language legislation a fundamental condition for Slovakia’s EU membership. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Jan. 9, 1997]

The three-member parties of the Hungarian Coalition finalized the by-laws for the Hungarian Coalition Party and will file for incorporation with the Interior Ministry. The Coalition’s Council agreed on three alternatives of equal value to pursue should a new Election Law with higher thresholds be adopted. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Jan. 12, 1997]

January 7, 1998
Parliamentary Spokesman Ivan Gasparovic will convene a special session of Parliament on January 23, announcing the first round of voting for the new president, since current President Michal Kovac will officially end his term on March 2. While a referendum last May sought to elect the president via direct popular vote, it failed due to a questionable government move, which received strong criticism from the European Union. Now, a three-fifths majority is required in Parliament for a new president, which has led Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement Vice President Szigeti László to express his doubts about a successful vote. With 17 parliamentary deputies, the Hungarian Coalition has yet to decide, which candidate to support --Juraj Hrasko from the Democratic Left-Wing Party, or Hungarian-speaking Stefan Markus nominated by the Slovak Democratic Coalition. Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar has declared both opposition candidates unacceptable for the Democratic Movement for Slovakia, the largest party in the 150-seat parliament. In case it fails to elect a new president, the Slovak Premier will be entitled to take over most of its functions, enhancing Meciar’s authority for the upcoming elections in September 1998. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Jan. 8, 1997; Népszava (Budapest), Jan 8, 1997; Central European Online (London), Jan. 8, 1997]

József Szilvássy, editor—in—chief of the only Hungarian—language daily Új Szó resigned. No new editor has been named yet. [News Mirror - DAHR MTI Press Service, (Budapest), Jan. 7, 1998]

December 21, 1997
Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar evaluated 1997 as a successful year for Slovakia claiming that the greatest success was achieved internationally because the country has "managed to define its position in the context of the East Central European region, Europe and its neighboring countries." Furthermore, Meciar positively emphasized the "stabilization of domestic politics," and announced that the government is preparing to launch an educational program, which will, in four years, boost Slovakia’s rank to fifth among the world’s leading countries in schooling. [Fórum Institute (Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely), Dec. 21, 1997]

December 18, 1997
The Hungarian Civic Party called for opposition support to amend the current electoral laws in compliance with democratic principles. The proposal would include four criteria: (1) parliamentary elections to be held on one day (2) voters to obtain only one ballot (3) the current proportional electoral system and threshold to remain, and (4) all parties represented in electoral committees. HCP Vice President Petôcz Kálmán stated "only these can guarantee public control over counting ballots." The unanimous support of the opposition is necessary because the government aims to adopt electoral laws, which would enable it to remain in power . [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Dec. 19, 1997]

December 13, 1997
Following Slovakia’s omission from first round EU membership talks at the Luxembourg Summit, Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar urged to put Slovakia on the fast track along with the "five plus one" countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia). Meciar also claimed that Slovakia had made better progress in economic and political reforms than some of the above-mentioned countries. [Central European Online (London), Dec. 15, 1997]

Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement President Béla Bugár stated that "Slovakia did not get into the six best countries as a result of the government’s domestic and international policies." He also added that Slovakia was only considered at the Luxembourg Summit because EU still sees hope for improvement after next year’s elections. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Dec. 15, 1997]

December 12, 1997
Chair of the European Parliament José Maria Gil-Robles justified the EU’s strong policy on Slovakia as being "fully appropriate," pointing out that the government still does not comply with EU requirements. "In every country, the Union pays considerable attention to the protection of minority rights, likewise the Hungarian minorities," said Gil-Robles. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Dec. 12-14, 1997]

"The Slovaks can be easily assimilated. Their national pride and identity differs from that of Hungarians," stated Stefan Markus, the Slovak Democratic Coalition’s presidential candidate also endorsed by the three-party Hungarian Coalition. The liberal Stefan Markus, who was born in Hungary, considers his brother, Jozef Markus, President of Matica Slovenska a "wild nationalist" pointing out that "although we both grew up in a Hungarian-Slovak-German family, Jozef did not learn to get along with other nations and viewpoints." [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Dec. 12-14, 1997]

December 11, 1997
Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar announced in public that he would retire from politics if his party, the Movement for Democratic Slovakia, loses the upcoming election scheduled for next Fall. At this point, he is even unsure about completing his current term. According to well-informed sources, Meciar is resorting to this twice-tried political tactic of playing the "martyr’’ as his party’s popularity slips. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Dec. 12, 1997]

December 9, 1997
Government officials returned without due consideration the Hungarian Coalition’s statement on the minority-language memorandum claiming that it does not comply with state-law requirements. Hungarian Civic Party Vice President Kálmán Petôcz stated that the coalition’s statement had been written in English as it was sent to all of those international institutions where the Slovak government had dispatched its memorandum. (see report of November 20) "Therefore, it came as a surprise that the government office returned our statement. Referring to state-law requirements is preposterous. If the government receives a letter from abroad, written in non-Slovak, are they going to return it saying that the letter does not meet state-law requirements?" asked Petôcz. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Dec. 9, 1997]

The Slovak Democratic Coalition introduced its presidential candidate for the upcoming elections next year. Stefan Markus, who has an academic background and is fluent in English, Russian and Hungarian, has actively participated in various human rights organizations in the past. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Dec. 9, 1997; News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Dec. 9, 1997]

December 8, 1997
The Council of the Hungarian Coalition has decided not to mount its own candidate for next year’s presidential election but will consider supporting an other party’s candidate. [Fórum Institute (Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely), Dec. 7, 1997]

December 4, 1997
The European Parliament recommended that EU expansion talks begin with all (11) previously proposed countries with the exception of Slovakia. However, intensive EU membership negotiations will only continue with the six most advanced countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia). [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Dec. 5, 1997; Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Dec. 5, 1997]

President of the Slovak Journalists Syndicate Jan Fule issued a letter to Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar expressing his indignation over suspended government briefings, and reminding him that the current Press Law mandates government and other state bodies to provide sufficient information and maintain communication with the media. [Fórum Institute (Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely), Dec. 4, 1997]

December 3, 1997
Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar announced in a statement that due to low journalistic standards weekly government briefings are suspended immediately. The ban applies to news conferences during visits by foreign dignitaries unless diplomatic protocol requires it. Apparently, Meciar’s anger was aroused during Tuesday’s press conference when he was asked and rebuffed questions about an alleged trip to Moscow with close aide and head of the Slovak Intelligence Agency, Ivan Alexa, and about the role Blazena Martinkova, deputy chair of Meciar’s election committee played in the Premier’s official meeting with Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klíma. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Dec. 5, 1997; Central European Online (London), Dec. 5, 1997]

Following the joint political declaration of the Slovak Democratic Coalition and the Hungarian Coalition, the two blocks formulated their long-term political and economic objectives adjusting them to meet European integration requirements. The new political document stresses the importance of the Slovak-Hungarian Bilateral Agreement and proposes amendment of the Slovak constitution in order to endorse minority rights. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), Dec. 4, 1997]

December 2, 1997
The Slovak Democratic Coalition, consisting of five opposition parties, and the three-party Hungarian Coalition signed a political declaration setting the stage for a new political platform, and defined long-term cooperation as an alternative against the Meciar-led government. The agreement, born out of a series of negotiations, firmly supports human and minority rights and includes, among others, that the Hungarian Coalition will not encourage ethnic-based territorial autonomy in its political agenda. [Népszava (Budapest), Dec. 3, 1997; Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Dec. 3, 1997]

November 1997

November 30, 1997
The Washington Post criticized the Meciar government’s law on the official language as "the most recent irritant in a string of moves by Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar that have fanned tensions between the Slovak majority and ethnic Hungarians." The article pointed out that the language issue is part of Meciar’s strategy to divide and conquer his political opposition in preparation for the upcoming elections next year. It further states that Slovakia has attracted much criticism from Western governments, most notably the United States which doubts Meciar’s commitment to democracy because the government possesses a " poor record in guaranteeing free press, human rights and respect for the rule of law." The American daily also quotes Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement Vice President Pál Csáky, who stated that "the problem is not between Slovaks and Hungarians. It’s between the citizens and the government and democratic policies" [Washington Post, Nov. 30, 1997)

November 28, 1997
In an open letter, President Michal Kovac states that the biggest shortcomings of present-day Slovak politics is the country’s exclusion from NATO and first-round negotiations for EU expansion. "In order not to lose all chances for participation in the first round, we have to thoroughly understand the entry requirements and take the necessary measures to prove that we can fulfill these conditions," said the President, pointing out the EU’s deepest criticism are: (1) the referendum boycott in May (2) disregarding the Constitutional Court’s decision in the Gaulieder case, and (3) the lack of a minority language law. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Nov. 29, 1997]

November 27, 1997
Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klíma and Slovak Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar held a press conference following discussions on minority rights and the use of native-language during their meeting in Pôstyén. While Meciar attempted to assure the Austrian Premier that Slovakia is "in the European vanguard," Klíma told Slovak President Michal Kovac that "the problems hindering Slovakia’s advancement need to be resolved by themselves" mentioning the respect for minority rights and the lack of minority-language legislation. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 28, 1997]

In response to a statement during a press conference that Slovakia is becoming isolated from the European mainstream due to Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar’s authoritarian manner and minority policy, the Slovak Premier said that "Slovakia is not isolated and it never will be. There is no need to worry about it. Isolationism is not in the interest of anyone." Meciar reiterated his oft-made claim that" in all of Europe the legal status of minorities is the best in Slovakia. It is better than in most European Union countries." [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 28, 1997]

November 26, 1997
The European Parliament recommended that the Slovak government, among others, prepare legislation on the use of minority languages with the inclusion of EU experts, since the recently adopted government memorandum does not meet EU demands. While the joint Slovak-EU committee urged that Slovakia be included in the first round of negotiations, EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek responded "that the protection of democracy and minority rights is a fundamental condition of EU membership. It is out of context to talk about EU membership in countries where democracy, civil and human rights institutions are not stable. And in the case of Slovakia, it is precisely this stability that is lacking." [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 27, 1997]

November 24, 1997
Talks over the basic tenets of cooperation between the Hungarian Coalition and the Slovak Democratic Coalition have been temporarily suspended due to the lack of mutual understanding and agreement. Negotiations came to a deadlock because the parties couldn’t agree on specific provisions regarding territorial autonomy, and the Slovak side also ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition government. The Hungarian Coalition remains open to the continuation of discussions. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 26, 1997; Magyar Hírlap, Nov. 26, 1997]

November 20, 1997
In response to the government’s action on the use of minority language, the Hungarian Coalition sent a declaration to the European Union, OSCE, the Council of Europe, and all other institutions where the Slovak government dispatched its memorandum (see report of November 5), stating that it does not resolve the use of native language for ethnic Hungarians and that minorities cannot assert their rights guaranteed in the Constitution. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 21, 1997; Magyar Nemzet, Nov. 21, 1997]

November 18, 1997
Of all East Central European countries, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament proposed to exclude Slovakia from the first round of negotiations for EU membership until numerous changes are instituted, including opposition participation in parliamentary committees. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 19, 1997]

November 17, 1997
Ten thousand people gathered to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in Bratislava/Pozsony, while government parties withdrew from participation. Cheered on stage, Hungarian Coalition leaders, László A. Nagy, Béla Bugár and Miklós Duray foreshadowed mutual cooperation between the Hungarian Coalition and the Slovak Democratic Coalition, and declared that not only had the Meciar government betrayed the ideals of November ‘89, but attempted to restore dictatorship. Thus, the upcoming elections in 1998 offer the last chance to revert to democratic principles, and pave the way for a new future in Slovakia. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 18, 1997; Népszabadság, Nov. 18, 1997]

Hungarian Civic Party President László A. Nagy issued a public statement on the eighth anniversary of its formation declaring, among others, that "those people remember November 17, 1989 today who back then seriously considered the change in regime, have not lost their faith in the democratization of Slovak society and state, and believe that Slovakia still has a chance for NATO accession and European integration . . . These are the values that we can build upon today and which give hope and persistence to those who long for a better and brighter future," said the ethnic Hungarian politician. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 10, 1997]

November 14, 1997
Slovak National Party President Jan Slota announced during his visit to Belgrade as a guest of the ultra-nationalist Vojislav Seselj that "the Slovak and Serb nations are bonded by the years spent under Hungarian suppression. We have not paid the Hungarians back. It is a bad nation, a wild group whose members murdered our fathers and mothers," said Slota. [Népszava (Budapest), Nov. 14, 1997]

November 13, 1997
In response to ethnic Hungarian MP inquiry, Interior Minister Jozef Kalman claimed that Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar did not make any commitments to Hungarian Premier Gyula Horn in Gyôr regarding the issue of bilingual report cards, but merely promised "it would not be a problem." Kalman reiterated the Slovak proposal, namely the issuance of Slovak-only report cards and a non-official translation, if requested, at parental expense. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 14, 1997; MTI — Hungarian News Agency (Budapest), Nov. 14, 1997]

November 12, 1997
The Slovak Intellectual Forum and Slovak Helsinki Committee issued a joint statement calling for a demonstration on November 17, the eighth anniversary of the fall of communism in Slovakia, since human rights and freedom of speech have once again become endangered in the country and democracy is threatened. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 13, 1997]

November 10. 1997
"There is no legal regulation which allows for the de facto use of minority languages in Slovakia, thus, for other reasons as well, a positive decision regarding Slovakia’s membership in the European Union cannot be expected," said Edit Bauer, a parliamentary member from the Co-Existence Party. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 10, 1997]

On Monday, the Council of the Hungarian Coalition, embracing all three ethnic Hungarian political parties, reached agreement on the preliminary groundwork necessary for the upcoming 1998 elections, and decided to register a new political entity as the Hungarian Coalition Party. The new party’s by-laws will remain open to change depending on modification of the electoral laws. [Fórum Institute (Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely), Nov. 11, 1997]

The Alliance of Hungarian Parents in Slovakia (co-organizer of the protest demonstration reported on November 7) submitted a petition calling for the normalization of native-language education to Ladislav Posvanc, head of the Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely District Administration. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 11, 1997]

November 8, 1997
At its meeting today, the National Council of the Co-Existence Political Movement discussed the possibility of forming a new Hungarian party, cooperating with the Slovak Democratic Coalition and addressing the concerns of Hungarian-speaking Roma. The National Council adopted two statements, emphasizing the importance of creating a new party which would be legally unassailable and would embrace four platforms: liberal, national, Christian and conservative. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 10, 1997]

November 7, 1997
According to a decree issued by the Education Division of the Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely District Administration, all Hungarian-language schools are required to hold a one-hour meeting at 3.00 p.m. today with the mandatory participation of all schoolteachers. Slovak-language schools have not received such an order. The Alliance of Hungarian Parents in Slovakia, co-organizer of a demonstration scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. today, issued a statement protesting the directive as an attempt to prevent teachers from participating in the demonstration. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 7, 1997]

Slovak politicians have also voiced their views regarding the government-adopted memorandum on the use of minority languages. Christian Democratic Movement Vice President Ivan Simko stated that "The government promised to prepare legislation on the use of minority languages. It should have done so, because government promises must be kept." [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 6, 1997]

The Council of Europe completed its latest report on the Slovak government’s compliance with Council requirements concluding that "minority rights are not respected in Slovakia." Rapporteurs Klaus Bühler and Francois Leffein will continue their investigation in February 1998 and examine six areas: the division of spheres of authority among branches of government, the situation of minority rights, incidents of racism against Roma, the Gaulieder case, freedom of the press, and the new territorial-administrative division of the country. [Magyar Nemzet, Nov. 7, 1997; Fórum Institute (Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely), Nov. 6, 1997]

November 6, 1997
In Bratislava/Pozsony, the most influential dailies printed a letter by the Publishers Association which (1) denounces the government’s proposal to increase the value-added tax to 23 percent for most dailies and periodicals; (2) appeals to the Slovak National Council not to approve the economically unwarranted and politically unpardonable proposal; and (3) calls upon readers, as well as domestic and international bodies, to support the struggle in which freedom of speech and the protection of fundamental human rights are at stake. [Fórum Institute (Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely), Nov. 6, 1997; Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 6, 1997]

Pál Csáky, Vice President of the Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement, stated in an interview to Új Szó that he believes the Hungarian Coalition should mount a presidential candidate in next year’s election. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 6, 1997]

November 5, 1997
The three-party Hungarian Coalition expressed its indignation over the Slovak government’s November 4 approval of a Foreign Ministry "memorandum" on the use of minority languages, which was issued in lieu of the government adopting a law on minority languages and which itself claims that there is no need for such a law since existing legislation is sufficient. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 5, 1997; Magyar Hírlap , Nov. 6, 1997]

The Interior Ministry’s proposed amendment to the 1990 Law on Local Self-Government, which is scheduled to go before parliament in December, "would give opportunity for the gradual liquidation of local self-governments," said Co-Existence Party Vice President József Kvarda. The party has urged the Association of Villages and Towns in Slovakia to take concrete steps against the amendment which would require, among others, Interior Ministry approval for the symbols of municipalities; government approval for the merging and dissolution of municipalities; central government approval of all local legislation; prohibition of local taxation; and elimination of budgetary powers by local government. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 5, 1997

Swedish Parliamentary President Brigitt Dahle, ending a three-day visit to Slovakia, warned her counterpart, Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar, that even though Sweden believes in concurrent negotiations with all applicants, it cannot support European Union membership for countries which do not meet the requirements and where "the implementation of democratic principles is hindered." [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), Nov. 6, 1997]

November 4, 1997
A group of parents representing 28 communities has decided to organize a non-political demonstration on November 7 in front of the Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely District Administration office to protest the introduction of Slovak-only report cards while the government advocates the principles of democracy and the right to native language use.[Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 4, 1997]

Fusion of the three-party Hungarian Coalition is the only chance for reaching the 15 percent electoral threshold being touted by Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar, said Miklós Duray, President of the Co-Existence Political Movement. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Nov. 4, 1997]

October 15, 1997
OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel met the Presidents of the three-party Hungarian Coalition following meetings with the Foreign and Education Ministers. During the visit, the High Commissioner recommended Deputy Prime Minister Jozef Kalman that roundtable talks be organized on native-language education and the future of Hungarian schools in Slovakia. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Oct. 15, 1997]

October 12, 1997
The New York Times criticized Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar for deepening the controversies surrounding the delicate issue of borders and minorities and disregarding the terms of the Hungarian-Slovak Bilateral Agreement [The New York Times, Oct. 12, 1997]

October 4, 1997
Both the U.S. State Department and the European Union have expressed "serious concern" about the "violation of a fundamental democratic principle" in the case of Frantisek Gaulieder, a former Member of Parliament illegally stripped of his mandate. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Oct. 4, 1997]

The dismissal of the principal of the Hungarian High School in Bratislava/Pozsony is only one of the actions taken against ethnic Hungarian schoolteachers. The salaries of teachers in schools issuing bilingual certificates are routinely 1,000-1,500 Crowns less than those in other schools.

September 22, 1997
Slovak Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar accused the Hungarian Prime Minister of being arrogant and offensive during recent talks in Gyôr, Hungary. He also accused Gyula Horn of misinterpreting his so-called suggestions concerning the resettlement of ethnic minorities. The cancellation of the meeting between the two foreign ministers does not mean that diplomatic relations should break off. Dusan Slobodnik, President of the Foreign Committee of the Slovak Parliament criticized the European Union for demanding a minority language law even though there is no such law anywhere else in Europe.

September 17, 1997
Csaba Tabajdi, State Secretary for Minority Affairs, reassured Hungary’s Slovak minority that the exchange of ethnic populations between Hungary and Slovakia is not on the agenda, despite Slovak Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar’s intimations in this regard. According to Mihaly Mata, President of the Slovak Self-Government in Hungary, the Slovak minority has no intention of resettling and regards Slovakia as its second home. The most important issue is to develop the education system. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Sept. 17, 1997]

September 15, 1997
Hungarian Foreign Minister László Kovács rejected any proposal concerning an exchange of ethnic populations between Slovakia and Hungary, but still seeks agreement and hopes for cooperation with Slovakia. [MTI (Budapest), Sept. 15, 1997]

Slovak Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar denied suggesting that ethnic Hungarians be moved from Slovakia, but admitted to supporting "legal and voluntary" resettlement. [MTI (Budapest), Sept. 15, 1997]

At the CEFTA summit in Slovenia on expanding the European Union, Slovak Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar told journalists that Hungary had demanded the deletion of a provision calling for support by member countries of one another’s applications. Hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Horn replied that each country has equal rights when trying to join the EU, but they must meet the same human rights criteria. [Reuter, Sept. 15, 1997]

June 6, 1997
According to the Bratislava/Pozsony daily Új Szó, officials have allowed the Bulgarian-language school in Bratislava to issue bilingual reports cards. The article’s author notes that despite the government coalition’s assertions that in Slovakia official documents can be issued in Slovak only, identity cards and the text of legislation are, for example, bilingual (Slovak and English), while the Republic’s passport is issued in six languages — none of them a minority language. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), June 6, 1997]

June 3, 1997
Approximately 8,000 people protested the failed national referendum outside the Prime Minister’s office building in Bratislava/Pozsony today. [Duna Television (Budapest), June 3, 1997]

June 2, 1997
Ethnic Hungarians rallied in Dunajska Streda/Dunaszerdahely, Samorin/Somorja and Calovo/Nagymegyer in defense of native-language education with demonstrations to continue throughout the week in Komarno/Komárom, Rimavska Sobota/Rimaszombat, Galanta/Galánta, Lucenec/Losonc and numerous other towns in Southern Slovakia. Slovak officials continue to ignore their demands for the restoration of the 76 year-old tradition of issuing bilingual report cards and diplomas despite a petition bearing 55,000 signatures. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), June 3, 1997]

May 30, 1997
Új Szó, Slovakia’s only Hungarian-language daily, published the full text of a letter received from Peter Ondera, Interior Ministry spokesman, which calls upon the paper to account for its reporting on the debauched national referendum and for holding the Prime Minister and Interior Minister responsible. Editor-in-Chief Szilvássy called the letter "intimidation and harassment." [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), May 31, 1997]

The National Council of the Alliance of Hungarian Parents of Slovakia has collected 55,000 signatures on a petition to the Education Ministry protesting the introduction of Slovak-only report cards and diplomas for students while parents have written more than 70,000 protest letters to the Ministry, Parliament President, President and Prime Minister. [Új Magyarország (Budapest), May 30, 1997]

May 26, 1997
The Electoral Commission declared the May 23-24 referendum invalid after a less than 10 percent turnout and voter confusion over which of the two ballots to use. The opposition has introduced a motion to dismiss the Interior Minister. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), May 24, 1997; Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), May 24, 26 1997; OMRI Daily Digest, May 26, 1997]

May 23, 1997
The Interior Minister has distributed ballots for the May 23-24 referendum omitting the fourth question concerning direct presidential elections despite the Constitutional Court’s ruling that the question is legal. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), May 23, 1997; OMRI Daily Digest, May 20-22, 1997]

May 22, 1997
President Michal Kovac received U.S. President Bill Clinton’s letter today, in which the American leader reiterates previously expressed U.S. concerns regarding the progress of democratization, adding that "further work is needed to develop an atmosphere of openness regarding the opinions of the opposition and the concerns of minorities." [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), May 23, 1997]

May 8, 1997
According to Nitra/Nyitra University Rector Liba’s latest version of amendments to the institution’s by-laws, there would no longer be "any nationality section within the structure of the university." The draft also recommends that all tests — from entrance to final examinations — be conducted in Slovak language. University of Nitra is the place where the training of Hungarian and other minority-language teachers occurs. [Népszabadság (Budapest), May 8, 1997]

April 17, 1997
During his three-day visit (April 15-17) to Slovakia, OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel called "discriminatory" and "in violation of fundamental human rights," the circular signed by Slovak Education Ministry State Secretary Ondrej Nemcok (see report of March 25), which demanded that excusively ethnic Slovak teachers could instruct certain school subjects. He also expressed disappointment that no progress had been made on adopting a minority language law since his last visit. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), April. 17, 1997]

The three-party Hungarian Coalition renounced as a provocation the contents of a flyer disseminated in Rimavska Sobota/Rimasszombat last week, which called for "autonomy" and was signed by one "Civic Movement of Felvidék." [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), April. 17, 1997]

April 15, 1997
Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys stated that Slovakia should adopt a law on language rights for ethnic minorities. Mr. Tarschys further inquired whether or not the Slovak government plans to sign other international documents, in particular the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages. [OMRI Daily Digest, April. 15, 1997; Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), April. 16, 1997]

April 3, 1997
Government Spokeswoman Ludmila Bulakova reported that the government has instructed the Justice Minister to monitor prison conditions and cease all forms of torture, following release of a Council of Europe report on its 1995 investigation which found several cases of torture in police cells. [OMRI Daily Digest, April. 4, 1997]

RFE/RL’s Bratislava/Pozsony Bureau reported NATO Deputy Secretary General Anthony Cragg’s statement that U.S. and Russia had made no special deal to exclude Slovakia from NATO enlargement [OMRI Daily Digest, April. 4, 1997]

March 28, 1997
A group of 30 skinheads attacked five Gypsies in the town of Prievidza/Privigyén (the site of earlier attacks in February) using rocks, steel pipes and baseball bats, and shouting slogans such as "into gas chambers" and "Sieg Heil." One suspect has been apprehended. [MTI (Budapest), March. 29, Apr. 1, 1997]

March 25, 1997
The Hungarian Civic Party has gained possession of a circular signed by Education Ministry State Secretary Ondrej Nemcok — dated March 12 and sent to all local Boards of Educational — which states that the Ministry aims to achieve that "excusively ethnic Slovak teachers could instruct geography, history and Slovak literature and grammar and only in Slovak" The document also includes that teachers, who would willing to implement the proposal in areas where minorities account for over 40 percent of the population should receive promotion. [Népszava (Budapest), March. 25, 1997; Új Magyarország (Budapest), March. 26, 1997]

March 22, 1997
Péter Kolár, former Director of the Hungarian Thalia Theater in Kosice/Kassa until his dismissal by the Minister of Culture, was voted the new President of CSEMADOK at the organization’s 18th national convention. [Népszabadság (Budapest), March. 24, 1997]

March 10, 1997
More than 30,000 parental signatures have been collected petitioning the reinstatement of bilingual report cards and protesting the newest education bill as well as discrimination against Hungarian teachers. [Új Magyarország (Budapest), March. 18, 1997]

March 16, 1997
Police have begun an investigation against skinheads who shouted fascist slogans while marching through the streets of Bratislava/Pozsony on March 14, the anniversary of the first Slovak Republic (1939-45).

March 15, 1997
Rudolf Balaz, head of the Slovak Bishops’ Conference came out in support of the protesting opposition, actors and students. [OMRI Daily Digest, March. 17, 1997]

March 13, 1997
President Michal Kovac announced that the two referendums on direct presidential elections and NATO membership would be held simultaneously on May 23 and 24 and that he was going to advocate a "yes" vote on both questions. [OMRI Daily Digest, March. 14, 1997]

Several thousands of students demonstrated their support for the protesting actors by marching through central Bratislava/Pozsony. [OMRI Daily Digest, March. 14, 1997]

March 12, 1997
Minister of Culture Hudec filed criminal charges against those who participated in the "unauthorized and violent occupation" of his building while students from the Slovak National Theater’s ballet and from several other universities went on strike alert. [OMRI Daily Digest, March. 13, 1997]

March 11, 1997
Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar refused to meet the protesting actors and opposition deputies and barred them from entering the government office building. [OMRI Daily Digest, March. 12, 1997]

March 10, 1997
After holding a sit-in strike, police have removed one hundred actors and ten deputies from the Ministry of Culture since the Minister did not receive them [OMRI Daily Digest, March. 11, 1997]

March 9, 1997
The Hungarian-language Teachers’ Training College in Nitra/Nyitra received an instruction from the Minister of Culture to conduct all entrance and state exams in Slovak-only. [Új Magyarország (Budapest), March. 10, 1997]

March 6, 1997
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Kornblum stated during his trip to Bratislava/Pozsony that the Slovak government has been unwilling to heed certain recommendations, especially as regards passage of a minority language law. [OMRI Daily Digest, March. 7, 1997]

March 4, 1997
Signed by 521,580 people, a petition was handed to President Michal Kovac calling for a referendum on direct presidential elections. The President will likely to announce that for financial reason it will be held on the same day as NATO referendum. [OMRI Daily Digest, March. 6, 1997]

March 3, 1997
The Slovak National Party (junior partner in the ruling coalition) invited Chairman of the French National Front, Jean Marie Le Pen, to Slovakia. [OMRI Daily Digest, March. 3, 1997]

February 28, 1997
15 theaters out of 21 went on strike today closing their doors while the rest of them are on strike alert. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Feb. 28, 1997; OMRI Daily Digest, March 3, 1997]

February 24, 1997
Gyôzô Bauer and Gyula Bárdos , the two ethnic Hungarian members of the government’s Nationality Council have resigned. OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel had previously raised objection that the Council consisted of more representatives from Matica Slovenská, a pro-governmental and pseudo-cultural organization, and certain state bureaus than was the number of ethnic minority representatives, who as a result of disproportionate representation have been consistently outvoted. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), Feb. 27, 1997]

February 24, 1997
The Hungarian Civic Party called all Hungarian parties and cultural and educational organizations to protest the Ministry of Education’s latest education bill, which would prohibit the instruction of history, geography and physical education in any other language than Slovak in Hungarian-language elementary schools, where language and literature have been already taught in Slovak. Furthermore, the bill also requires that in trade and vocational schools the academic instruction would be pursued in Slovak-only. [Népszabadság (Budapest), Feb. 24, 1997]

February 21, 1997
In Budapest, during his meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister László Kovács, OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel urged Slovakia to pass a long-delayed law on minority languages, reported Reuters. [OMRI Daily Digest, Feb. 21, 1997]

February 19, 1997
Actors in thirteen theaters across Slovakia will strike from February 22-26 to protest government interference in cultural affairs, including the dismissal of popular directors. [Népszabadság (Budapest), Feb. 24, 1997]

February 18, 1997
Opposition parties reported that they have collected the requisite 350,000 signatures on a petition calling for a referendum on direct presidential elections. [OMRI Daily Digest, Feb. 19, 1997]

February 14, 1997
The Slovak Parliament adopted the ruling Movement for a Democratic Slovakia’s proposal to call for a referendum on NATO membership, which would ask citizens three questions: (1) do you favor Slovakia’s entry into NATO (2) do you want nuclear weapons stationed on Slovak territory and (3) do you agree with the presence of a NATO military base in the country. [OMRI Daily Digest, Feb. 14, 1997]

February 13, 1997
In Brussels, following talks with Slovak Deputy Premier Katarina Tóthová, EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek warned that Slovakia must respect democracy and human rights if it hopes to remain in the running for European Union membership. Later, speaking on Slovak radio , Ms. Tóthová denied that such remarks had been raised. [OMRI Daily Digest, Feb. 17, 1997; Népszabadság (Budapest), Feb. 18, 1997]

The Slovak Parliament adopted a law on the nationalist cultural organization, Matica Slovenská, stressing its "decisive role" in boosting patriotism and developing local and regional culture. [OMRI Daily Digest, Feb. 14, 1997]

The Kosice/Kassa County Environmental Protection Office has ruled without appeal that a traditional Hungarian grave mark erected in the village of Leles/ Lelesz last year, which commemorates the 1,100 anniversary of establishing the Hungarian state, must be removed because it does "not harmonize with the good cooperation and interests of Slovakia’s population," as reported by Mayor Barnabás Papp. [Új Magyarország (Budapest), Feb. 13, 1997]

February 11, 1997
In the Parliament, despite the support of eight ruling party MPs, The Penal Code amendment to the Protection of Slovak Republic failed to gain sufficient vote which will result in abandoning the prospect of passing the bill. [Népszabadság (Budapest), Feb. 12, 1997]

February 10, 1997
The Slovak daily Sme published a preliminary report by Council of Europe Special Rapporteur Walter Schwimmer, which criticizes the government’s shortcomings, including the internationally "unusual" and "unacceptable" practice of unilaterally interpreting the Slovak-Hungarian Bilateral Agreement, and the failure to adopt a Minority Language Law in violation of Council of Europe Recommendation 1201 as well as other basic UN documents including the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Feb. 11, 1997; Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), Feb. 11, 1997; Népszabadság (Budapest), Feb. 11, 12, 1997]

February 7, 1997
The local Roma community in the Central Slovak town of Prievidza/Privigyén is demanding the release of a 16 year-old Roma boy who was arrested following a skinhead attack against 300 demonstrators belonging to anarchist and anti-fascist organizations protesting repeated attacks against Roma in the town. [OMRI Daily Digest, Feb. 10, 1997; Népszabadság (Budapest), Feb. 10, 1997]

February 6, 1997
KDH Member of Parliament Ivan Simko announced that more than 300,000 signatures have been collected on a petition demanding a referendum on direct presidential elections, leaving only 50,000 added signatures needed to mandate the referendum. [OMRI Daily Digest, Feb. 7, 1997]

January 31, 1997
Many ethnic Hungarian students did not accept their Slovak-only report cards on Friday, in protest against elimination of the 70 year-long practice of issuing bilingual report cards; 21 school principles in the Komarno/Révkomárom District defied the Education Ministry officials’ directive by issuing bilingual report cards. [Népszabadság (Budapest), Feb. 3, 1997]

January 30, 1997
The State Department’s annual Human Rights Country Practices Report stated that "disturbing trends away from democratic principles continued throughout 1996 in Slovakia" as reported by RFE/RL. [OMRI Daily Digest, Jan. 31, 1997]

January 22, 1997
Minister of Culture Ivan Hudec reiterated in today’s issue of the pro-government daily Slovenská Republika that there is no need to adopt a minority language law, contrary to the government’s assurances that it will do so. [Népszabadság (Budapest), Jan. 23, 1997]

January 21, 1997
The international media reported that Marek Balaz, a spokesman for the Roma minority, sent a letter to Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar announcing the establishment of a Roma militia to protect itself against attacks on persons and property since the authorities seem to be unable and/or unwilling to afford such protection. [OMRI Daily Digest, Jan. 21, 1997]

One-third of the needed 350,000 signatures has been collected by the opposition on a petition calling for a referendum on instituting direct presidential elections. [OMRI Daily Digest, Jan. 21, 1997]

January 10, 1997
The opposition parliamentary representatives strongly criticized the Justice Ministry’s State of Emergency Bill for restricting basic human and civil rights, including the right to personal immunity, ownership, assembly and travel. [OMRI Daily Digest, Jan. 9, 10, 1997]

January 9, 1997
The opposition began collecting the requisite 350,000 signatures needed on a referendum for direct presidential elections, but the ruling Movement for Democratic Slovakia argues that a three-fifths parliamentary majority is required to change the Constitution. The Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement supports the referendum. [OMRI Daily Digest, Jan. 9, 1997]

January 2, 1997
Slovak Presidential Spokesman Stefko told Reuters today that the Parliament violated the Constitution last month when it passed a new version of the Penal Code amendment on the Protection of the Republic without rejecting the previous version vetoed last March by President Michal Kovac, who also rejected this latest version on December 31, 1996. [OMRI Daily Digest, Jan. 2, 3, 1997]

January 1, 1997
Paragraph 10 of the Slovak Language Law, which prescribes fines of up to 50,000 Crowns for individual violations and 500,000 Crowns for violations by legal entities, went into effect on January 1, 1997. [Hírmondó No. 8.005, Jan. 13, 1997]

December 22, 1996
An 18 year-old skinhead stabbed to death a Roma father and critically wounded his son in the central Slovak town of Handolva. The accused has been arrested and told police he was "proud to be a skinhead" and "regretted that one of the Gypsies survived," as reported by Novy Cas. [OMRI Daily Digest, Dec. 30, 1996]

Government spokeswoman Ludmila Bulakova says Slovakia will ensure proper conditions for prisoners, including stopping all forms of torture. According to Bulakova the government has ordered the Minister of Justice to monitor prison conditions and keep the government informed whether police are abiding by the rules. The Council of Europe yesterday issued a report critical of prisoner treatment in the country. The report says a 1995 investigation found several instances in which prisoners were tortured in police cells.