VOJVODINA HUNGARIANS PLEASED WITH LOCAL COALITION WITH SERB RADICALS
BBC Monitoring International Reports - January 24, 2005

Text of report by Hungarian TV on 24 January

(Presenter) Three months ago the public in Vojvodina was shocked to learn that the Democratic Community of Vojvodina Hungarians (DZVM) and the local branch of the Serb Radical Party (SRS) formed an alliance in Obecse (Becej). Their achievements justify their cooperation so far.

(Reporter) DZVM has been cooperating with the Serb Radical Party in Obecse for about three months now. According to the Hungarian party, no written document has been signed on the parties' coalition, they agreed only verbally to cooperate in the interest of the village and its residents. They say they only want to find solutions for the most burning problems of the village's residents. This is why it did not cause a problem that Hungarians also hoisted their national flag on the village hall and that the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church leaders' meeting was held in the village.

(Sandor Pall, DZVM chairman) It seems that the Serb Radical Party would like to become a centre-right party. Since the war is over and there is no such thing as collective guilt, the party is trying to engage in politics in a way that will perhaps be acceptable in Europe.

(Istvan Tari, deputy mayor of Obecse) We have been able to establish fair cooperation in Obecse. One does not need to ask about the colour of the cat, the main question is its ability to catch mice (unusual saying).

(Reporter) The strange marriage in Obecse has met the DZVM's expectations in the first three months. In their view, Hungarians would not have been given any posts without this coalition.

Of course, the question is: For how long will this cooperation remain undisturbed?
 

Source: Hungarian television M2 satellite service, Budapest, in Hungarian 0500 gmt 24 Jan 05

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