© 2007 Institute of Current World Affairs
The Institute awards long-term fellowships to develop a deep understanding of an issue, country, or region outside the US and to share that understanding with a wider public.
Institute of Current World Affairs - Home Page

Below is a hobbled text version of a PDF document.
In order to read the actual document please click the link below and register if necessary.
(One-time registration is free and very quick.)
Read article

11/1/1992 - Whither Pannonia? by Chandler R. Rosenberger

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUTWRITER SCONSENT CRR INSTITUTEOFCURRENTWORLDAFFAIRS HITI IER FArlrlOrlI Chandler Rosenl erger Dear Peter It taken world tight above nuclear holocaust Habsburg Empire fiscally The Slovaks Slovenes Croats major nationalities Empire Hungarian freed themselves multi national federations suceeded Vienna But Czechoslovakia Yugoslavia ought finally expose hidden agendas those seeking national determination A through Pannonia fertile elbow Danube where Slovaks Hungarians shows politicians Budapest Bratislava shouting heard there further flung corners their nation states In Pannonia moment The irony Siovak elections victors among republic Slovak Hungarian populations shared faith Czechoslovak federation Me6iar leader Movement Democratic Slovakia spoke about Pragocentrism Miklos Duray leader Hungarian party Egyutteles Co Existence condemned federation between Slav nationalities Czechs Slovaks misbegotten since The Egyutteles leadership complains Slovak goverment pursuing policies endanger Hungarian population Southern Slovakia First government building large hydro electric across Danube Egyuttels claims wrecked environment livelihood locals Second government threatening education Hungarian language Whether language issues genuine concerns longer matters The Czechoslovak elections destroyed federation brought power Hungarian Slovak representatives quite color The Independent Hungarian Initiative inners among Hungarians believed federation guarantee civic CHANDLERROSENBERGERisaJohnO Cranefellowofthe Institute studying nations former Habsburg Empire especially Slovakia Czech Lands Since Institute Current World Affairs Crane Rogers Foundation provided fellowships enable outstanding young adults outside United States write about international areas issues Endowed bythelateCharlesR Crane theInstituteisalsosupportedbycontributionsfromlike mindedindividualsand foundations rights The EgyUttles Movement other campaigned Hungarian party strong enough stand Slovak nationalists They elections decisively drive federalists power With federation advocates civic rather national rights vanquished among Hungarian leaders border between Slovakia Hungary truly question The through region percent Hungarian Hungarian minority million Slovak citizens elected party abandoned Slovak parliament favor building muncipal networks business Budapest The Hungarian Democratic Forum republic governing party drifting further nationalism Prime Minister Joszef Antall health furthers party president Istvan Csurka Antall claimed Prime minister million Hungarians I0 million which actually Hungarian republic Csurka extreme openly calls redrawing national borders established Trianon It therefore important judge threats minority rights Egyuttles movement evidence environmental damage persecution Slovak government abusing Hungarian minority intolerably It worth checking EgyUttl complaints those ordinary Hungarian Slovaks Pannonia It worth asking Slovak determination benefits anyone liberated political class break Czechoslovakia merely first downwards whirlpool smaller smaller minorities along Danube THE DAMNEDDAM Some istorical points In Communist governments Czechoslovakia Hungary signed international treaty build canal power station Danube River The project dammed Danube after crossed Czechoslovak territory better river further north through canal through Slovakia The canal would power station Gabikovo From there river would return power station Hungarian Nagymaros ON SFR T BUDAPEST Gabikovo envisaged The project however dogged financial problems complaints environmental groups since inception As early I Hungarian government complaining project suspended construction continue Austrian backing their project guaranteed Hungarian environmentalists formed Duna Kor Danube Circle organize protests quickly became forum general discontent Communist regime Slovak environmentalists although vociferious became focal point Communist In gradual decline Hungarian Communist Party sudden overthrow Czechslovak regime threw entire project doubt In May Hungarian government first announced moratorium construction In August Czechoslovak government demanded billion compensation delay designed C option whereby Danube could diverted further upstream where banks river Czechoslovak But Ji Dienstbier appointed Czechoslovak Foreign Minister after Velvet Revolution quickly condemned gigantomanic projects previous regime promised irrevocable steps until after elections SPAC OR AUXILIARY WIR AND LOCK ALT HUNGARY INTAKE STRUCTURE INTO THE MOSONY DANUB WITH SMALL WATER POWER STATION CONNECTING DAM Alternative C enacted Slovak government A chane Slovak Under Vladimir Meiar Slovak Prime Minister Slovak government assumed responsibility technical In April I Meiar rejected offer Hungarians rewrite treaty construction Czechoslovakia Meiar argued already invested hundreds millions dollars project Slovakia furthermore expected receive I0 percent power needs InJuly Jn arnogursk thenewSlovakprimeminister announced government decision construction C option promised account opinion commission external experts No loner technical issue In June Hungarian parliament voted annul treaty August Hungarian Prime Minister Antall government consider diversion Danube violation international border After talks organized European Community broke October Siovak government again Meiar enacted C option began damming Danube unovo north point which Danube forms Slovak Hungarian border The Meiar government argued opportunity river before heavy snowfall spring swept river To another argued would financially disastrous Hungary reacted requesting intervention Conference Security Co operation Europe appealing International Court Justice writing world leaders The Egyf office You cannot Danube Egyuttls offices Bratislava everyone EgyUttls depends electoral districts between Bratislava Budapest seats Slovak parliament Because other opposition party Christian Democrats support construction EgyUttls voice dissent It rather shrill voice Pamphlets office condemn Ill conceived Communist Era Monstrosity monster drink Danube The Slovak government headed ultra nationalist Premier Meiar threatens Budapest massive flooding should break Diverting river engage violates territorial integrity Hungary Egyuttls spokesman Laszlo Molnar speaks restraint concern Building C option added environmental damage already Communists further acres cleare north unovo The diversion those Hungarian Slovak villages whose wells areas south reservoir threatens quality water further south since river longer through gravel cleaned Furthermore diversion livelihoods villagers canal jeopardized relations Hungary unnecessarily It difficult commute Bratislava Molnar impossible Lives themselves stake Meiar government drawn evacuation plans villages south Nor discussed consequences locals Hungarian government something former Prime Minister arnogursk And Christian Democrats headquarters Over headquarters arnogursk Christian Democrats roughly opinion quite different There articles Julius Binder company build technical favor Most environmental damage already writes willwenowoffer itupasapointlesssacrifice There issomuchto finishing Binder article I commissioned The East European Reporter points originally designed needs Slovaks andHungariansalongtheriver sbanks In floodingwipedout100 hectares Slovak similar disaster struck Hungarian The needed Bratislava round shipping Binder writes The Danube south Bratislava shallowest least stable meters banks raise centimeters meter Water quality sides border ought improve decline Slovak reservoir improve ground water region while second diversion canal feeble Mosoni Danube bring water Hunagarian cities Gy0r The reservoir improve local economy offering water sports tourists And there reason either diversion irrevocable threatening should there problems canal Slovak government could easily divert Danube river And arnogursk himself while Meiar government diplomatic Hungarian government interest ecological arguments against The issue become prestige mutual suspicion especially Antall government since power opposition The Hungarian government ignored environmental argument brought border issue In December Slovak parliament invited Hungarian government participate review information monitoring devices built The Hungarian government refused Instead sought bring International Court Justice Hague arguing diversion Danube amounted border change They border issue arnogursky Such however requires compliance parties According Roman Bu spokesman Slovak Foreign Ministry Slovak government insisted court review account Hungarian unilateral breach treaty build which article government compensate other Contracting Party third party damage resulting improper performance ofworkand deliveries carried outbythem The Hungarian government agreed broader consideration And annonia itself Withtheviews ofBratislava politicians offdown Pannonia Our delegatia Oxford historians Dr Mark Almond Prof Norman Stone Oxford Christine Stone Prague Post reporter Amy Auster KIman Pet0cz Hungarian Slovak Hu ngarian Civic Party first pulled Skodas unovo reservoir built under C option The Gabikovo project phenomenon either inspires wonder hatred based rational arguments instincts inculcated childhood When first looked artificial I scarred mudfields either concrete diversion point created nothing shimmering horizon small I remembered skipping along artificial jetties protected harbor summer house harbor launched fastest American ships around Terra Fuego Californian coast Maybe I thought efforts pools between sandbars against ebbing There kinds fatalism respect relationship nature One Asiatic accepts nature always upper always overcome project legions lichens tides matter child tries colonize hermit crabs making The other common Central Europe fatalism towards government projects poisonous thermonuclear power plants large Andra Toth editor largest Hungarian paper Slovakia lives diversion point unovo His village large supports A rural population realistic If Soviet tanks They revolutionarily minded Interviews local farmers confirmed water levels risen fallen since creation artificial We never water farmer He regretted environmental damage Communists current government Hadn diversi wrecked local fishing industry The farmer laughed What fishing industry No fished river since The farmer feared rising political conflict rising tides worried neither Hungarian Slovak government capable representing Are worried about political itself I asked Prof Stone translated Yes definitely farmer answered This could another Yugoslavia We headed south deeper Pannonia Through streaked windshield could riches region better understand Slovakia paranoia about Hungarian intentions The sheer amount fresh plaster tiles German testifies Southern Siovakia wealth Sadly offered poignant example Slovaks still think about wealth Meiar recent television addresses which pointed Hungarian Slovaks money other Slovaks played bread basket Slovakia might grasp No Slovakia talks about creting wealth Slovaks often about firming their wealth already The drive villages between riverbed diversion canal enough doubt childhood ideas battle elements Here elements either firmly capable striking vengeance The power plant Gabikovo larger Suez built shoddy concrete The diversion canal while apparently solid isahomelysite formileaftermilewedrovebacknorth westalongthe artificial island barred atour final destinationfrom thetownswehad visited unforgiving barrage The mayors villages diversion Vojka Bodiky Babrohosti complained construction killed their villages The Communists seized diversion without compensation Las Nagy mayor Vojka Because construction lengthened commute amorin Bratislava population region dropped thirds years The villagers water their wells dried piped water concerned It residents theHungarian whodonothave centralwater supply whohave suffered But residents again damage question whether government would construction rather whether would their lives little easier building bridge amorin It impossible Sigismund Mikoly itwouldhelp ifwecouldhaveabridge Again villagers feared political itself The residents dismayed arnogursk visit villages insisted construction ahead But despairedover theMeiargovernme fromwhom theydonotexpect bridge Worse being Mikoly villager commutes factory Bratislava worried about effect issue having relations Slovak workers Me Hungarian propaganda effectively taken workers minds problems economic uncertainty Mikoly The Slovaks factory about higher prices Now about Gabikovo Mikoly dismisses Antall government claim represent absurd andfearsthattheSlovakgovernmenthasused toshowthatweare againstthedamonlybecauseweareHungarianagents But Ifeellikea citizen Slovakia Mikoly We pleased successes Hungarian artistsand football players butwe citizens ofSlovakiaand On earlier I further Danube basin Budapest where I talked William Roth Czechoslovak embassy Hungary Roth plains about Hungarian misuse international diplomacy In December I CSFR Hungary aggreed EC commission examine despite agreement Hungarian government launched unnecessary diplomatic campaign Roth against Slovaks began diverting river Antall government wrote Conflict Prevention Centre Vienna Danube Commission International Court Justice world politicians protesting Slovakia aggressive politics Their claims entirely exaggerated Roth Whatever disadvantages granting Czechs Slovaks equal status world after Jan I newsletter Slovak Hungarian border remain Slovakia inherit borders agreed Treaty Trianon Hungary exclude itself world community share recognition Roth Nonetheless Roth worries about ambitions Egy movement noting leader Mikos Duray appeared Budapest television regularly during elections Typical Duray comments Roth Hungarian Slovak homeland birthplace To conclude visit region showed damage regions occupied Hungarian Slovaks devastation countryside diversion point cleaving several villages places where their residents Communist regime It worth noting villagers region member Egy party complained party appeals Budapesthadonlyaggravatedtheirconcerns It salsoworthnotingthat Egytttls exactly support villagers practical concerns bridge island amorin It usually problems solutions Egy This share Slovak nationalists oppose THETONGUE SET FREE LANGUAGELAWS Some historical points Slovakswho callfor official languageandan official culture merely completing nationalizing former Austro Hungarian Empire Thechain reactionbeganin1867 whenEmperorFranzJosef acceded Hungarian nationalism granted Budapest restructured Dual Monarchy Budapest quickly pulled ladder after itself rather federalized Empire capital politicians fought Czech government Magyarized Hungary provinces Slovakia Croatia Gabor Gyni Hungarian historian explains Magyars offered their Slovak Croat subjects contract could enjoy upward mobility liberal society recognized nation guaranteeing upward mobilitywasHungarian capitalwasBudapest universities taught Hungarian major families regardless religion those Hungarian noblemen According travelling companion Prof Stone Hu ngarians ferociously centralized region banking system Budapest The century Budapest Poszony Bratislava Hungarian capital years decline Slovak society quickly split those willing marry Hungarian families transfer their loyalties those unable leave behind their rural roots For whatever reason Slovak Jews found easier assimilate Gyni Whether explanation perverted become dividing between Slovaks traitors latter being MagyarizedSlovakJews Threeyearsago whentheHungarian American philanthropist George Soros sought found Central European University Bratislava Slovak nationalists protested against Budapest Jew founding instrument assimilation Slovakia This thelanguage ofthe universitywas English asanygoodSlovak nationalist English language internat ional Jewish conspiracy EgyOttOl concerns The Egy movement three steps SIovak government might The government might argue weaken rights Hungarian Slovaks currently enjoy Hungarian official contacts It might severely Hungarian education Finally government mightinterpretthenewSlovak constitution would erode minority political power The Langu Law education In October Slovak government dominated dissidents VPN movement established Slovak official language Slovak Republic The obliged state officials Slovak their official business issue documents Slovak public places Slovak The however citizens right other languages Czech could spoken official business republic Furthermore other languages could state officials citizens wherever native speakers language percent population The require state officials language minority obliged officials Slovak speaking native Slovak speaker EgyUttls found the1990 discriminative injurious The percentcut offwastoohigh theysaid Nordidthelawensureminorities right their native tongues banned written contact officials language Slovak Finally guarantee right additional streets signs another lanugage right teach anything Slovak Egyuttls complains signs Hungarian already taken Southern Slovakia The movement fears stronger language requiring Slovak official contacts might passed The Slovak constitution On September I Slovak parliament adopted constitution Slovak Republic declared sovereignty Slovak Although formal declaration sovereignty contradicted Czechoslovak Federal Constitution compatible political reality Czech Premier Vaclav Klaus Meiar already agreed divide state ThenewSlovakconstitutionwascontroversialinmanyways Other opposition parties joined Egy complaining built centralized state which state would prevail local administration largest political party state The latter particular concern Egy planned build their strength local administration Southern Slovakia Egy however amendments protecting minority rights proposed ignored The party complained about Chapter Two article which states pursuit rights expression cannot breach integrity Slovak Republic discrimination against other citizens rather protect minority rights EgyUttls governmentwas protecting itself against minorities Another clause article which allows minorities established associations explicitly defend political rights associations In other words Egyuttels complained constitution provides possibility political organizations national minorities Nor constitution guarantee right education minority mother tongue As general education backs Slovak government planning Hungarian education Teaching Hungarian especially costly since Slovak Hungarians rural regions where schools needed teach fewer people Compared towhatSlovaks inHungaryhave traditionallybeen offered Hungarian education Slovakia remains generous Egy points sports production Slovak elevision cited constitution banning Hungarian names during station Hungarian broadcasts Is harbinger ofworsetreatment tocome Ev ttles solution determination The peace treaties international guarantors Czechoslovak federation treated determination distorted according Egytttls The battle Slovak autonomy always waged document between Czechs Slovaks exclusion other nations Czechoslovak territory While federalists fighting rights citizens merely asserting country common state nations nobody Other nations within state ought therefore organize nationality Egyt states since states stability guaranteed adequate equal assertion right determination these groups The Egy writes cultural territorial administration Back Pannonia Despite recent highway rtment declaration remove Hungarian signs early every village between Bratislava Budapest clearly marked signs white gives Slovak gives Hungarian The contrast reveals emptiness international proletarianism Czechoslovak Communists mouthed Many towns given Slovak names The names Slovak cultural heroes appear chess pieces arrayed aggressive assault deeper Pannonia strident names become To north Nov Zamky New Castle merely literal translation Hungarian But Budapest stands trovo codifier Slovak language L6dovit himself standing guard against irredentism trovotumbles Danube steep river barely visible square Rising river mists opposite Baroque cathedral Esztergo pride towns In century residents throvo called Parkan ferries across river attend In towns built stone bridge between The piles bridge destroyed during Second World War never rebuilt still stand turovo mayor Jan Oravec ethnic Slovak whofeels comfortable speaking Hungarian He belongs political party flinches delegatia about minority rights You fifteenthdelegation I vemetwhowantedtotalkaboutminorityrights complained When anyone about economic problems Last attempt boost tourism making explicit historical cathedral across river Oravec referendum whether ought change Parkan Although referendum percent Slovak Interior Ministry blocked Theghostoftrhadprevailed If itwereanyothernamebuttrovo Oravec would difficulty changing Instead Oravec Slovak nationalists other parts country thanked Ministry blocking change Oravec dismissive fears 1ovak Hungarian activists Things never first sight Both sides exaggerate problems Matica Slovensk ultra nationalist Slovak cultural foundation thirty members trovo They Oravec problems It Matica Slovensk offices other cities regularly complain about Hungarians Southern Slovakia I would active Oravec instead Bratislava propaganda Oravec impatient EgyUttl complaints about constitution language It important constitution rather there tolerance sides Egy leaders easier ticize discuss economics It easier effect activities purely political issue They speak about language hours hours adopt budget minutes The Slovak government would Egyuttls demands Oravec party would prove ability discuss economic problems In another attempt boost tourism Oravec asked sought rebuild bridge across Danube While Slovak government Hungarian government refused The deadline making splash quickly approaching Oravec fears bridge 100th anniversary uncommemorated project Whither Pannonia Driving Danube Bratislava I reminded Hungarian Slovaks Vojka hoped teach their children dwindling resources offered The villagers recognized education affecting Slovaks hoped commute district school easily They hoped Slovak government would build bridge Unfortunately representatives Hungarian Slovaks interested building bridges either metaphorical literal They obsessed official languages collective rights build bridges between nationalities They Slovak government drunk deeply wells resentment Magyarization Slavization drilled And Gabikovo these wells unlike water wells Pannonia overflowing In Danube Italian Claudio Magris recalls school classmates discuss three names Bratislava which liked Bratislava Slovak Pressburg German Poszony Hungarian The fascination those three names bestowed special glamour composite multinational history someone preference other childish basic stance towards Weltgeist As schoolchildren Magris classmates distinguished between German world desire history rebellious chivalry Hungarians fertile patience Slovaks But ironically these national identities flourished vividly before linked state The death Austro Hungarian Empire forty years Communist abuse reduced latter cultures blind battalions bureaucrats unrestrained strong local communities uninterested individuals unhinged their pursuit state power If either needs symbol folly blocks water nation nation should certainly TO Peter B Martin Executive Director Institute Current World Affairs Hanover NH 03755 Received Hanover