Jozsef Antall, on the eve of his anticipated election Wednesday as prime minister, has called for his country's withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact, setting the agenda for Hungary's first non-communist government in 43 years.
Antall also said Tuesday he would not agree to an extension of a June 30, 1991, deadline for the withdrawal of all Soviet troops from Hungary.The Democratic Forum leader's 90-minute speech to the new Parliament was his first clear and public indication that he supports Hungary's withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact. In previous interviews, he said he believed the Soviet-led alliance would dissolve itself in time.
"Hungary's membership in the Warsaw Pact is contrary to the will of the people, as it was expressed in 1956 (at the time of the anti-communist revolution) and confirmed by the latest election," said Antall.
After debate Wednesday about Antall's proposal, the Parliament was expected to formally elect him premier and approve his 16-member Cabinet.
Antall, whose center-right Democratic Forum was the biggest winner in multiparty elections in March and April, would become Hungary's first non-communist head of government in 43 years.
Antall said Hungary's military defense in the future should come under a new "all-European security and cooperation system."
The Parliament already has agreed to consider a proposal by the opposition Alliance of Free Democrats for immediate negotiations aimed at ending Hungary's involvement in the Warsaw Pact.