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Hungary remembers 1956 uprising Hungary remembers 1956 uprising
(about 1 hour later)
Hungary is holding events to mark the 50th anniversary of the uprising against Soviet rule, despite bitter domestic political divisions.Hungary is holding events to mark the 50th anniversary of the uprising against Soviet rule, despite bitter domestic political divisions.
Some veterans of the uprising have refused to shake hands with Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.Some veterans of the uprising have refused to shake hands with Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.
A former communist youth leader, Mr Gyurcsany is mired in controversy after admitting he lied to win re-election.A former communist youth leader, Mr Gyurcsany is mired in controversy after admitting he lied to win re-election.
President Laszlo Solyom spoke at a ceremony on Sunday, calling for national unity.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.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
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.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.
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
There will be a ceremony of remembrance at the statue of Imre Nagy, who was the reformist prime minister at the time.There will be a ceremony of remembrance at the statue of Imre Nagy, who was the reformist prime minister at the time.
The national flag will be hoisted in a ceremony outside parliament and the Budapest 1956 Freedom Declaration will be signed inside.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.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.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.Events have already been marred, with some 1956 veterans refusing to shake his hand at an awards ceremony on Sunday.
'First home of hope''First home of hope'
Speaking at the Hungarian State Opera, President Solyom said some Hungarians were using the commemorations to serve their own interests.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."[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.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.""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 sponteneous demonstration by a crowd of about 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. Soviet tanks were forced to withdraw, but their 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.
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".