OMRI DAILY DIGEST
No. 55, 19 March 1997

HUNGARIAN FARMERS CONTINUE BLOCKADE THREAT. A Hungarian farmers' union
on 18 March maintained its threat to block border crossings if the
government does not agree to its demands, despite warnings that such
action would be illegal, Reuters and Hungarian media reported.
Representatives of the farmers' union METESZ sent an ultimatum to the
government the previous day, saying they will block border crossings and
roads to the capital unless their demand for unconditional tax relief
for farmers earning less than 1.5 million forints ($8,500) a year is
met. A February demonstration sparked a series of farmer protests over
income and social security tax increases for farmers. The government
made concessions to the farmers who have since formed METESZ. -- Zsofia
Szilagyi

HUNGARIAN SOCIALISTS: SEPARATE PRIME MINISTER AND PARTY PRESIDENT
POSITIONS. The so-called social democratic and left-wing leaders within
Hungary's senior coalition Socialist Party are scheduled to meet this
week to hammer out a joint stance in favor of separating the posts of
prime minister and party president, Hungarian media reported on 19
March. Both positions are held by Gyula Horn. The issue has been long
debated in the largely heterogeneous Socialist caucus. According to the
daily Vilaggazdasag, the group would welcome both Foreign Minister
Laszlo Kovacs and former Prime Minister Miklos Nemeth for the post of
prime minister. -- Zsofia Szilagyi


[As of 12:00 CET]

Compiled by Susan Caskie