The Embassy of Hungary
has learned with great sadness about the passing away of Ambassador
Nicolas Salgo. The Ambassador of Hungary, Mr. András Simonyi, and the
Embassy staff wish to convey their heartfelt condolences to Ambassador
Salgo's family and friends.
Ambassador Salgo was
U.S. ambassador to Hungary between 1983 and 1986, at a time when the
country was still under the oppression of Communism. He established a
guest professorship at his alma mater, Eötvös Loránd University in
Budapest, where he graduated in 1937, naming the professorship after his
father, Mr. Otto Salgo. For 17 years - between 1983 and 2001 - numerous
American professors, linguists, historians, political and cultural
scientists were invited as part of the professorship to lecture in
Budapest.
Ambassador Salgo also
encouraged and helped Hungary to establish direct relations with Western
democracies. The Reagan Administration considered the establishment of a
special relationship with Hungary as a priority.
In March 1, 2004,
Ambassador András Simonyi presented the Order of Merit of the Republic of
Hungary, Commander's Cross, to Ambassador Salgo at his hometown in Key
Largo, Florida, for his support of Hungary.
Ambassador Salgo was
an avid collector of 19th- and early 20th-century Hungarian paintings,
which he placed on display at the Salgo Trust for Education, Port
Washington, New York.
A proud Hungarian, a proud American, he
will be missed by his Hungarian friends.
