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Hungary remembers 1956 uprising Hungary remembers 1956 uprising
(about 4 hours later)
Hungary has begun ceremonies to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the uprising against Soviet rule. Hungary is holding events to mark the 50th anniversary of the uprising against Soviet rule, despite bitter domestic political divisions.
President Laszlo Solyom spoke at a ceremony on Sunday, calling for national unity in a country that has seen bitter recent political divisions. Some veterans of the uprising have refused to shake hands with Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.
On Monday, events will include the unveiling of a huge monument in Budapest's Heroes Square to those who died in the events of 1956. A former communist youth leader, Mr Gyurcsany is mired in controversy after admitting he lied to win re-election.
Soviet troops put down the uprising in 12 days amid bloody fighting. President Laszlo Solyom spoke at a ceremony on Sunday, calling for national unity.
He said the entire nation shared the demand for Hungarian independence during the uprising, which was suppressed in a bloody intervention by Soviet forces.
BoycottBoycott
Speaking at the Hungarian State Opera, President Solyom said some Hungarians were using the commemorations to serve their own interests. On Monday, events will include the unveiling in Budapest's Heroes Square of a huge monument to those who died in the events of 1956.
"[Politicians] are not only celebrating apart, they are celebrating different things... I however say: there is only one revolution of 1956," he said.
Hungarians explore a tank display as part of the anniversary Hungary deeply divided Timeline: Hungary uprisingHungarians explore a tank display as part of the anniversary Hungary deeply divided Timeline: Hungary uprising
Austrian President Heinz Fischer, speaking as a representative of the foreign presidents, prime ministers and kings attending the events, echoed Mr Solyom's words, saying: "Parties are important, but the country is even more important." There will be a ceremony of remembrance at the statue of Imre Nagy, who was the reformist prime minister at the time.
The main opposition Fidesz party has said it will boycott official anniversary events at which Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany is speaking. The national flag will be hoisted in a ceremony outside parliament and the Budapest 1956 Freedom Declaration will be signed inside.
But the main opposition Fidesz party has said it will boycott official anniversary events at which Mr Gyurcsany is speaking.
It will hold its own rally close to the state radio building, the scene of bitter fighting in 1956.
Mr Gyurcsany caused political uproar recently when he admitted he had lied to the public about the economy.Mr Gyurcsany caused political uproar recently when he admitted he had lied to the public about the economy.
Events have already been marred, with some 1956 veterans refusing to shake his hand at an awards ceremony on Sunday.
'First home of hope'
Speaking at the Hungarian State Opera, President Solyom said some Hungarians were using the commemorations to serve their own interests.
"[Politicians] are not only celebrating apart, they are celebrating different things... I however say: there is only one revolution of 1956," he said.
Mr Gyurcsany and Serbian President Boris Tadic unveiled a memorial at the Serbian Embassy, where Nagy had sought asylum.
"For many, this building was first the home of hope," Mr Gyurcsany said. "Unfortunately, the road of lies began here."
Swift responseSwift response
The uprising started in Budapest on 23 October 1956, with a crowd of 23,000, the reading of a pro-democracy manifesto and the singing of banned national songs.The uprising started in Budapest on 23 October 1956, with a crowd of 23,000, the reading of a pro-democracy manifesto and the singing of banned national songs.
By evening, there were 200,000 people in the centre of Budapest.By evening, there were 200,000 people in the centre of Budapest.
The protest was crushed less than two weeks after it beganThe protest was crushed less than two weeks after it began
A giant statue of Stalin was pulled down, leaving only the dictator's boots on the pedestal.A giant statue of Stalin was pulled down, leaving only the dictator's boots on the pedestal.
The Soviet response was swift.The Soviet response was swift.
Air and artillery assaults on Hungarian cities preceded an armoured invasion by 17 tank and infantry divisions.Air and artillery assaults on Hungarian cities preceded an armoured invasion by 17 tank and infantry divisions.
Imre Nagy, the reforming Prime Minister, made a final impassioned plea to the outside world by radio. Imre Nagy, the reforming prime minister, made a final impassioned plea to the outside world by radio.
He and hundreds of others were arrested and executed, among thousands of Hungarians who died.He and hundreds of others were arrested and executed, among thousands of Hungarians who died.
On Sunday, Mr Gyurcsany and Serbian President Boris Tadic unveiled a memorial at the Serbian Embassy, where Nagy had sought asylum.
"For many, this building was first the home of hope," Mr Gyurcsany said. "Unfortunately, the road of lies began here."
The BBC's Alan Little says the uprising was the moment the world accepted the post-war partition of Europe and the apparent permanence of what Winston Churchill had called "the Iron Curtain".The BBC's Alan Little says the uprising was the moment the world accepted the post-war partition of Europe and the apparent permanence of what Winston Churchill had called "the Iron Curtain".
On Monday, there will be a ceremony of remembrance at the statue of Imre Nagy.
The national flag will be hoisted in a ceremony outside parliament and the Budapest 1956 Freedom Declaration will be signed inside.
Then a memorial will be unveiled at the site where Stalin's statue was toppled.
The Fidesz party will hold its own rally close to the state radio building, the scene of bitter fighting in 1956.