Kadar Blames Hungary’s Woes on Communist Party

Communist Party leader Janos Kadar today said the party is responsible for Hungary’s economic crisis but criticized what he said are attempts to undermine the party’s control of the country.

In a speech opening the first national party conference in 31 years, Kadar acknowledged Hungary’s deep economic and social crisis and said party delegates should “renew and rejuvenate” the party leadership.

The conference delegates will consider changes in Hungary’s leadership, including the possible replacement of Kadar.

No Talk of Stepping Down

Kadar, 75, made no direct reference to speculation he will relinquish the party leadership he has held since 1956. He mounted a strong attack on reformers who want to see sweeping political and economic change.

“The party condemns independent efforts, even by well-intentioned people, to weaken the party and youth movements,” Kadar noted, alluding to the formation last week of Hungary’s first independent trade union and recent efforts to set up an unofficial democratic youth group.

“The party will not give way to hostile actions challenging the social order,” Kadar said in his address, which was carried by state-run media.

He said the party’s task is to create socialism that involves more democracy, but rejected what he called “efforts to create a bourgeois democracy, or anarchy.”

Kadar addressed the party’s failure to straighten out the nation’s economic crisis.

“No qualitative changes have taken place in our economy, restructuring is sluggish, and the internal and external financial balance has deteriorated,” he said.

Rising Dissatisfaction

“As a consequence, conditions are lacking for perceptibly raising the living standard, and even for safeguarding it in all respects.

“Dissatisfaction has increased, and more people are pessimistic about the future and confidence in the party and its leaders has declined.”

Last week, the party’s policy-making Central Committee said personnel changes would be high on the agenda of the national party conference, fueling speculation Kadar’s era might be coming to a close.

Even Premier Karoly Grosz, a leading contender for the party chief’s post, has suggested that the conference might replace Kadar.