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iN 1993 Radio and television
announced that József Antall,
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Prime Minister of the Republic
of Hungary, died at 5:15 p.m.
on Sunday evening.
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His work room had
been empty for weeks.
The severe disease tied him to a bed.
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Yet, the obituary struck the
country like a bolt of lightning.
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In minutes, Kossuth Lajos Square,
Budapest, suddenly full of people
and thousands of candles were lit
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in that December evening.
There was a prayer of expiation
- a man died.
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A fellow countryman who had
seen and lived in unity from
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his youth with the commitment to
patriotism and democracy
as belonging together.
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He's been very demanding to himself
all along.
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This was how he was worthy
of the historic moment when
after decades of dictatorship
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he was made premier of the
first freely elected government.
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The next afternoon
the representatives in dark clothes
silently listen to György Szabad,
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President of the Parliament.
The greats of a nation
ascending into immortality,
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no matter how tragic the end may be,
are never unlucky. But it is
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always unfortunate for a nation that
does not understand its greatness and
can not follow their direction.
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József Antall sowed so that
this nation could reap
- it is up to us to do so.
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His death shocked the entire
nation. There are long rows of
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people gathered in the Kossuth Lajos
Square in front of the Parliament,
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on the day of his wake,
on 17 December,
to say good-byes to him.
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Those who want to pay their respects to the
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statesman and those for whom it
is hard to leave their apartments anymore.
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The sad news was received with shock
in the international community.
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As highlighted in their
words of condolence,
in József Antall mourned the politician
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who created the island of stability
in this stormy region of Europe.
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He was a true freedom fighter
and a true representative of
the Hungarian people's spirit,
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said Madeleine Albright, United States
Ambassador to the United States.
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President Bill Clinton's personal
representative, Vice President Al Gore,
also paid her respects.
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German Chancellor Helmut Kohl spent
a long time at the funeral.
He mourns not only the ideological,
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the politically esteemed and useful
ally, but also the good friend.
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Hungary lost a man with high integrity,
someone with a European outlook
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in József Antall
- said the Prime Minister of Bonn.
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Calling the loyal friend a warrior
Democrat, who, as a great patriot,
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did much for Hungary's peaceful future
and prestige. Margaret Thatcher,
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former British Prime Minister,
also praised József Antall's
outstanding role in the
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reconstruction of Hungarian
democracy on several occasions.
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She gaver her condolences to
the widow of József Antall, his two sons,
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Deputy Prime Minister Péter Boros
and Sándor Lezsák, representative of
the Hungarian Democratic Forum.
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The delegation of the Russian
Government is led by a respected
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leader of the reform forces,
Yegor Gajdar.
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Then the French delegation
heads the coffin.
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Simon Peres will come to
offer his condolences to the
family next to the funeral.
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The Prime Minister's person meant a
great deal to Israel for what his
father did during the Holocaust.
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Lech Walesa is the Polish head
of state. Giovanni Spadolini,
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president of the Italian Senate.
József Antall led Hungary from
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communism to democracy in the
difficult transition period without
creating permanent difficulties,
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said Austrian Chancellor Franz
Ralicki when learning about his death.
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For hours, a multitude of
Hungarians and foreigners,
citizens and guests stood in the cold
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wind of December to bow their heads
to the achievements of politicians
man.
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They waited in mile-long rows
to approach the funeral.
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The funeral planners quickly adapted
and reorganized the entry order.
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The last groups left only
next day at dawn
before the funeral.
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The country's senior officials
said good-bye to the Prime
Minister after the wake.
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First, Árpád Göncz,
President of the Republic,
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then György Szabad,
President of the Parliament.
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Peter Boross,
the appointed prime minister,
followed him with his family.
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Ministers, close co-workers,
coalition partners,
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officials and staff of the Parliament
pay their respects at the wake.
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Angelo Acerbi, Archbishop,
apostolic nuncius,
representative of the Vatican.
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The representatives of the parties
are saying their good-byes.
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First, MDF, of which he was president
for four years until his death
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and then the opposition free
democrats. Fidesz.
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And representatives of
the Socialist Party.
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In the name of the capital,
the mayor saluted the dead.
Representatives of the Socialist Party.
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In the name of the capital city,
the mayor saluted the dead.
Farewell, Farewell!
