Hungarian foreign minister
László Kovács paid a four-day visit to the U.S. In Los Angeles on April
18 and 19, Mr. Kovács took part in events commemorating the 60th
anniversary of the Hungarian Holocaust.
On
April 18, Minister Kovács participated in the Yom Hashoah commemorative
event at the Los Angeles Holocaust Monument where Minister Kovács,
Governor Schwarzenegger, Congressman Tom Lantos, and Los Angeles Mayor
James K. Hahn were guest speakers. On
April 19, Minister Kovács was the keynote speaker at the Simon Wiesenthal
Center's "Remembrance and Vigilance" memorial event in recognition
of Holocaust victims and survivors.
Minister
Kovács pointed out in his speeches that the Hungarian nation is now able
to face the darkest chapter of its past and take responsibility for crimes
committed by Hungarians against Hungarians. This is clearly reflected in
the Hungarian Government's recent agreement with the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum and the opening of a new Holocaust Museum in
Budapest.
On April 20 and 21,
Minister Kovács met with U.S. national security advisor Condoleezza Rice
and Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, D.C. In
his meetings with Ms. Rice and Mr. Powell, Mr. Kovács reiterated
Hungary's commitment to keep its troops in Iraq "as long as they are
needed." He also said that with Hungary's accession to the European
Union, the U.S. will have one more friend in the EU. He pledged Hungary's
continued support for the United States in the global war on terrorism.
Both sides agreed that
there is no alternative to a strong trans-Atlantic relationship as the
primary guarantor of world security. Mr.
Kovács said that Hungary is ready to share its experience with Iraq
regarding its peaceful transition form dictatorship to democracy and to
participate in the reconstruction of the Arab country. Minister Kovács
also said that Hungary would welcome an easing of the current U.S. visa
regime.
Gov. Schwarzenegger with Minister Kovács and
Rep. Lantos
Minister Kovács with Los Angeles Mayor James
Hahn and Amb. Simonyi
Minister Kovács with Amb. Simonyi, actor Tony
Curtis and his wife Jill
Minister Kovács speaks at the Museum of
Tolerance
