In connection with the events of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the war horn sounded by many in the current opposition in Hungary brings back an old memory in me.

Around Easter 1997, the then Minister of National Defense, the socialist György Keleti unexpectedly promised a 250-member Hungarian combat unit to a military contingent being organized by the Italians for a peacekeeping mission in Albania. There, unleashed internal emotions that arose in connection with a post-communist restoration created a civil war situation.

The situation at that time can also be compared to the current situation in Ukraine in that, due to the humanitarian goal, peacekeeping should have been carried out before peacekeeping: in other words, military occupation and armed struggle with guerrilla opponents.

NATO, the EU and the OSCE did not support the idea of ​​international intervention. The Italians, on the other hand, obtained the authorization of the UN Security Council. Italy, fearing a flood of refugees, decided to intervene before this. It was possible to count on the reception of external interventionists as enemies (among other things, due to a refugee ship run over by an Italian destroyer), and this would have further worsened the perception of the Hungarian unity that stood by the Italians.

The parliamentary opposition voiced the public's alarm against this recklessly dangerous and costly gesture. MDF's Jenő Póda demanded verbally and in writing: "Hungarian soldiers should not go to Albania!" As a result of our persistent demand, the Hungarian government backed away from its reckless promise.

This example clearly shows why it is dangerous....the gun-cracking of the Gyurcsány opposition, Márky-Zay's promising background negotiations with the Ukrainian president. For the prime minister-candidate (his promise - ed.) who is able to draw a target for the Transcarpathian Hungarians (when he accuses them of being Russian-friendly and when he would send arms shipments through their residential area).

The Fidesz-KDNP government, on the other hand, decided in the interest of the nation when it did not contribute to the acts of war with weapons and soldiers. Viktor Orbán put it exactly when he stated that "strategic calm" is needed, and in addition, all assistance must be given to the needy.

András Kelemen

(Header image: Hungarian Nation/montage)