STATE DECORATIONS: NO PRESIDENTIAL SCRUPLES THIS YEAR

The Prime Minister’s Cabinet has no knowledge about any scruples expressed by the new President about the list of persons recommended for decoration on August 20, Magyar Nemzet has been informed.

It is curious, however, that the Cabinet does not remember even the scandal of 2004 when former President Ferenc Mádl had scruples over the decoration of the members of the staff of Nap-kelte, a morning news and political programme of the public television. The decoration had been recommended by Péter Medgyessy, former Prime Minister. President Mádl opposed the decorations because the news programme had violated the media law several times. (After this scruple had been expressed publicly in Magyar Nemzet, the owner of Nap TV Ltd. announced his colleagues declined the decorations.)

Informed sources claim President Sólyom has no scruples over this year’s list of persons to be decorated. The orders are recommended by the Premier while the crosses by the ministers. The ministers give special decorations founded by their ministries, too, which include money prizes – the Ministry of National Cultural Heritage offers usually prizes in the value of HUF 100-200 000. The Prize for Csángó Culture, e.g., which has been renounced recently by Transylvanian folklorist Zoltán Kallós referring to the inadequate minority policy of the Gyurcsány government, goes with HUF 200 000.

Translated by Péter Szentmihályi Szabó