http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/1956/ en-us Sun, 26 Nov 2006 11:57:25 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1744068/posts For Egypt, the Suez War was a military disaster with thousands of dead, wounded or captured. The Israelis captured miltary equipment they would put to use in later wars. The Egyptian Air Force was driven from the skies with much of it destroyed on the ground. But Abdel Gamal Nasser and his Egyptian regieme won a great propaganda victory that was handed to him by the power of the United States in getting Britain, France and Israel out. The United States wanted to win favor with the "Third World." Nasser didn't run away from Soviet support after the war and... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1744068/posts#comment Sun, 26 Nov 2006 11:57:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1741108/posts The Soviet armies took the city center of Budapest quickly on the morning of November 4, 1956 but fighting continued for some days in other parts of the city. Soviet tanks and aircraft were used to break resistance in the industrial areas of Budapest and in other cities. Guerilla fighting was also going on in the countryside for several weeks. Some 200-thousand refugees fled to Austria and Yugoslavia. Meanhwile, the Yugoslav Embassy conducted negotiations to get Imre Nagy out of its embassy in Budapest and received assurance from the new Hungarian Commnist leader Janos Kadar for safe conduct of Imre... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1741108/posts#comment Sun, 19 Nov 2006 12:33:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1737756/posts Howard K. Smith described the aftermath of the Suez Crisis for Great Britain as a case of the "emporer without clothes." Indeed, the United Kingdom was now confirmed as a second rate power after being forced by economic pressure from the United States to accept a cease-fire, a UN force and withdrawl from Egypt. The process of withdrawl dragged on for a few months, accompanied by violent protests from Egyptians in Port Said against the British. UN forces began to arrive on November 21st, 1956 and set up shop. Meanwhile, the British hoped to get back in the good graces... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1737756/posts#comment Mon, 13 Nov 2006 15:22:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1733085/posts At 6:20 AM on November 6, 1956 amphibious landings began at Port Said with Royal Marines and Centurion tanks coming ashore. Helicopters flew in additional troops and supplies. Egyptian resistance was broken as the newly landed forces linked up with the paratroopers landed the day before. Meanwhile the pressure for Britain and France to agree to the cease-fire called for by the UN General Assembly was building. Late on the evening of November 5th the Soviet Union sent letters to Israel, Britain and France that carried a threatening tone. Israeli Prime Minister Ben-Gurion was particularly offended by the questioning of... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1733085/posts#comment Mon, 6 Nov 2006 12:15:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1732631/posts As Prime Minister Anthony Eden appeared to weaken in the face of opposition in the Conservative Party and from the United States, France worked harder than ever to land troops and take the Suez canal as soon as possible. France wanted to control the canal before a UN force would come and take over. Invasion planning moved landings back to November 7th, but considerations for the speed of the Israeli advance and the American presidential election brought the date to November 6th with the invasion ships speeded up. At one point, the French suggested taking the canal with Israeli soliders... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1732631/posts#comment Sun, 5 Nov 2006 12:36:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1732438/posts Today, Hungarians commemorated their 1956 revolution against Soviet occupation. 1956 was a real revolution, and 2,800 Hungarians gave their lives in the pursuit of liberty and sovereignty, two words which have lost meaning to some in the free world. It is with a sad heart, but with joyous spirit that I salute Hungary today. Liberty. Sovereignty. Revolution. These words are bandied about often nowadays in the West, but many times with little meaning, especially by the Left. For example, we constantly hear about Palestinian "sovereignty" -- over land which at best they can claim only partial historical ties to --... http://netwmd.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1732438/posts#comment Sun, 5 Nov 2006 01:20:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1731453/posts It was becoming increasingly obvious that Soviet forces were closing in on Budapest, but Imre Nagy continued to seek negotiations for a Soviet withdrawl from Hungary. By November 3rd with the city surrounded, the Soviets said they were ready to talk and a delegation that included the Defense Minister, Pal Maleter, (who led freedom fighter resistance when the revolution began) went to dinner with Soviets at 10pm. By midnight, they were all under arrest. During the early morning hours of November 4th the advance of Soviet troops into the city began. After Mr. Nagy and his cabinet met and learned... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1731453/posts#comment Fri, 3 Nov 2006 14:22:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1730689/posts By early morning on November 2, 1956, all the Egyptian troops that could get out were withdrawn across the Suez Canal from Sinai. Troops cut off in the Gaza Strip and at Sharm-el-Sheikh would end up surrendering to the Israelis. Anglo-French bombing put the Egyptian Air Force out of action and forced whatever planes were left to fly out of the country. The RAF bombed Radio Cairo and hit its main antenna mast, knocking out its signal. Meanwhile in New York the emergency session of the UN General Assembly broke off at 5 AM so delegates could eat something and... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1730689/posts#comment Thu, 2 Nov 2006 14:17:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1729946/posts With the Egyptian army pulling out of Sinai and the RAF attacking Egyptian airfields, the Israeli army in Sinai spread out to take control of the entire peninsula outside the Anglo-French exclusion zone. Nasser ordered Egyptian forces not to fight the British or French, but they were allowed to fight Israelis, whom Nasser considered to be the "real" enemy. At 5 PM debate began at the United Nations General Assembly that lasted until 2AM November 2nd when a resolution was passed by a 65 to 5 vote. It called for: 1. An immediate cease-fire and a halt to the movement... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1729946/posts#comment Wed, 1 Nov 2006 15:47:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1729114/posts As Soviet forces moved away from Budapest on October 31st there was great hope for the future. Imre Nagy addressed a crowd from the Parliament Building and said: "we are living in the first days of our independence..." Nagy told some foreign reporters that negotiations with the Soviets would include the idea of Hungary withdrawing from the Warsaw Pact and becoming neutral territory. While Soviet forces pulled out of the city airports around it were under Soviet control. One area the Soviet troops abandoned was western Hungary around the Austrian border. Aid moved in and refugees moved out over this... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1729114/posts#comment Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:33:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1728409/posts As promised by President Eisenhower the United Nations Security Council went into emergency session on October 30, 1956. Both the United States and Soviet Union introduced resolutions calling on Israel to cease its attack and pull back to the 1949 armistice lines. The United States resolution called on other nations to not use force or threaten to use force in the situation (clearly aimed at France and Britain). It also called for sanctions against Israel until she complied with the resolution. Both resolutions were vetoed by France and Britain. Eventually the Yugoslav delegate asked the council to use a procudural... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1728409/posts#comment Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:26:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1727919/posts It was 50 years ago today that Israel launched military operations in Sinai to coincide with the French and British moves to take control of the Suez Canal. By October 28th Israel publicly admitted the mobilization that began two days earlier. They continued to give the impression that attacks from the Jordanian side of the border (West Bank) were the reason for their mobilization. The then Israeli Chief of Staff, Moshe Dayan, saw the two letters from President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Ben-Gurion calling on Israel not to attack. Commenting on them, Dayan wrote in his diary: "The United States... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1727919/posts#comment Sun, 29 Oct 2006 11:50:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1727909/posts From today's perspective Hungarian leader Imre Nagy looks a lot like a Gorbachev, a loyal Communist who wanted to "reform." Nagy was slow to respond the crowds demands for real change and apparently saw some benefit in Communist ideology, even though he wanted to liberalize its operation. He was given a title by Communist leaders in the face of the revolt, but held by them for several days before he was free to make his own decisions. On Octboer 27th the first new government Nagy proposed included non-communists in limited roles only. But whatever was being talked about, the fight... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1727909/posts#comment Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:36:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1727683/posts Hungary's revolution celebrations - protesters spoil the party in Budapest 27.10.2006 - Sandor Laczko On Monday October 23rd, Hungary launched a series of events marking the 50th anniversary of its 1956 uprising and revolution. Scores of foreign leaders and envoys flocked to Budapest for the commemoration and memorial events. But those events were at times almost overshadowed by anti government protests. Emese Danks is a spokeswoman for the Hungarian government: "We put together a very nice and touching programme because we believe that this [the 1956 revolution] is one of the highlights of the 21st century. Historically, the revolution in... ICE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1727683/posts#comment Sat, 28 Oct 2006 21:11:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1726913/posts On October 27th, 1956 world leaders were aware of the Israeli mobilization but many thought it was for an attack on Jordan, not Egypt. Terror attacks from Jordan against Israel were common in recent months and nations like the United States assumed Israel was planning a full military attack in response. Historical accounts say Israeli intelligence (Mossad) was trying to mislead foreign governments by leaking information about an attack on Jordan that foreign intelligence agencies would pick up. In London Prime Minister Eden brought in a group of ministers to form a "war" cabinet. His supporters in the group fully... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1726913/posts#comment Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:23:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1726541/posts MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Andrei Kolesnikov) - Public unrest recently swept through Hungary. Triggering it were revelations by Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, which revealed that the Cabinet had been lying to the nation about the economic situation. As often happens with public action, Hungarians chanted diverse, and often mutually exclusive, mottoes. The activists were also a motley crew, including hoodlums. The figure "1956" loomed behind the drama. Hungary possesses a dynamic civil society, which exploded with indignation at the revelation that the government was telling it fairly tales-an instance of politics shrugging off morals. The public thirst for the... RIA Novosti http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1726541/posts#comment Thu, 26 Oct 2006 21:58:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1725080/posts Poznan – Budapest 1956 23.10.2006 The inspiration for Hungarian freedom fighters battle with the Soviets in Budapest in 1956 came from Poland. Michal Kubicki reports No other nation but Poles feels more strongly about the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. This is not surprising in view of the fact that five decades ago Poland was also the scene of demonstrations in support of democratic changes and that the inspiration for Hungarian freedom fighters came from Poland. Polish president Lech KaczyÅ„ski and speakers of both houses of Parliament are in Budapest for the official commemorations of the Hungarian uprising against... Radio Polonia http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1725080/posts#comment Tue, 24 Oct 2006 17:47:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1724904/posts Hungarian Communist Party bosses holed up in Party headquarters as crowds surged in the streets of Budapest demanding freedom in the early morning hours of October 24, 1956. Soviet troops and tanks rolled into the city and engaged crowds that fought ofter in small groups but sometimes in larger ones like the soliders at the Kilian barracks led by Colonel Pal Maleter. Police stations were seized and sympathetic police gave weapons to civilians who took up the fight. In some cases there were tanks and artillery from the military that had gone over to the freedom fighter side. But most... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1724904/posts#comment Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:13:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1724844/posts 'There aren't any good brave causes left," railed Jimmy Porter in John Osborne's play "Look Back in Anger" on its first night in August 1956. Both the phrase and the play almost immediately established themselves as revolutionary. Osborne's play changed the theater throughout the English-speaking world and opened the way for new dramas exploring themes of social criticism and the absurd. As for the phrase, it captured the mood of a left dissatisfied with the tepid social justice of the postwar welfare state and nostalgic for such grand revolutionary causes as the Spanish civil war. Two months later such a... Chicago Sun-Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1724844/posts#comment Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:36:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1723059/posts Poland's ties to Hungary's 1956 revolution 20.10.2006 - Michal Kubicki Poland has also been marking the 50th anniversary of Hungary's revolution. Not surprising, considering the fact that it began with a rally by Hungarians showing solidarity with Poland, which in 1956 was the scene of a workers' revolt and of violent demonstrations in support of democratic changes. Michal Kubicki reports from Warsaw: The Polish events in commemoration of the Hungarian Revolution have included academic conferences, concerts, and exhibitions. Commemorative plaques have been unveiled in several towns. 'A Hope for Freedom' is the title of a photo exhibition which opened in... ICE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1723059/posts#comment Fri, 20 Oct 2006 18:36:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1723057/posts Central Europe marks 50th anniversary of Hungarian revolution 20.10.2006 - Agi Varga, Kerry Skyring This coming week will see ceremonies in Budapest and other capitals of Central Europe marking the 50th anniversary of Hungary's 1956 uprising against the Soviet Union. An uprising, which was quickly and brutally crushed but which was one of the defining moments of the Cold War and, of course, recent Hungarian history. Ninety-five year old Bela Kiraly was the commander-in-chief of the National Guard in Budapest in 1956. After the revolution's bloody end, he lived in exile in the United States returning only to his homeland... ICE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1723057/posts#comment Fri, 20 Oct 2006 18:34:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1720157/posts Polish Communist leaders were in desperation following the Poznan Rebellion. Reformers organized in factories wanting to have more freedom to make their own decisions citing Tito's Yugoslavia as an example. Party leaders who came to the factories were challenged by the workers. Calls were made for Wladyslaw Gomulka, an out of favor Communist, to be returned to power. Leaders of the Polish United Workers Party (Communist Party) decided to bring Gomulka back. The Eighth Plenum of the PUWP met on October 19th, 1956 to make Gomulka its leader. But Moscow was not pleased and its leadership, led personally by Nikita... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1720157/posts#comment Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:20:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1718664/posts British Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd speculated that some of his fellow Conservatives would hand him a bowler hat and maybe an umbrella because of his conciliatory tone towards the Egyptians at the U.N. Security Council. But regardless of the impression of a peaceful resolution of the Suez issue in the offing, the push for a plan of action was underway. France wanted a quick meeting to finalize details and timetables for the military operations involving the Anglo-French forces as well as the Israelis. The French were totally committed to action although it concerned them that British generals held all the... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1718664/posts#comment Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:45:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1715932/posts FUNNY with history, how remote it can seem, and how close, even in teeming Times Square, scarcely an oasis of retrospection. Charles Legendy recalled being there the other day when his gaze turned to a black-and-white billboard of a tank emblazoned with the words “1956 Hungary” and, beneath that, “Our Revolution Was Not a Movie.” His wife, Annemarie, also looked up, and the elegant young man on the left of the tank in a European city rising in revolutionary ire against the Soviet empire caught her eye. She knew him, she felt, with a certain intimacy. “Charlie,” she said, grabbing... nytimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1715932/posts#comment Sun, 8 Oct 2006 20:13:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1713491/posts On October 5th, 1956 the top songs in the country included both sides of Elvis Presley's RCA 45rpm record ("Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel") as well as Doris Day's "Que Sera Sera." The Brooklyn Dodgers hosted the New York Yankees for Game 2 of the World Series at Ebbets Field. And a jury in Boston convicted the Brinks robbery suspects. This same day the United Nations Security Council met in New York to consider the Suez Canal matter. The long list of diplomats included Selwyn Lloyd, British Foreign Secretary, the French Foreign Minister Christian Pineau and America's Secretary of... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1713491/posts#comment Wed, 4 Oct 2006 14:52:37 GMT