OMRI DAILY DIGEST
No. 130, 8 July 1996

HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT AMENDS SCREENING LAW. The parliament on 3 July
amended the screening law that requires investigating public officials
who have taken oaths before parliament or the president, Hungarian media
reported. The law calls for screening about 600 persons--including all
deputies, the president, government members, ombudsmen, members of the
Constitutional and Supreme Courts, and president and vice-presidents of
Hungarian Radio and Hungarian Television--for working with the secret
police. Except for a few provisions, it will expire on 30 June 2000. If
the supervisory committee finds that a person cooperated with the secret
service, that person will be exposed if they do not resign within 30
days. The original law, passed two years ago, was repealed by the
constitutional court for being too vague. -- Zsofia Szilagyi

AGREEMENT ON JEWISH COMPENSATION IN HUNGARY. The Hungarian cabinet and
representatives of Jewish organizations on 3 July agreed to create a
"Hungarian Jewish Heritage Foundation" to compensate for property
confiscated from Jews during World War II, Hungarian dailies reported.
The foundation will be headed by a board of directors, to include Jewish
leaders, government officials, and independent members. The foundation
will manage assets, including real estate and valuables, as well as 4
billion forints ($26 million) in compensation coupons contributed by the
government. Life annuities will be paid to needy Holocaust survivors.
The issue will be put on the parliament's agenda this fall. -- Zsofia
Szilagyi

HILLARY CLINTON IN BUDAPEST. The U.S. first lady spent two days in
Budapest, where she met with Prime Minister Gyula Horn and other top
officials, Hungarian dailies reported on 8 July. Clinton discussed human
and minority rights with Horn and stressed the importance of cooperation
between Hungary and the U.S. in the Balkan peace settlement. -- Zsofia
Szilagyi

[As of 1200 CET]

Compiled by Maura Griffin Solovar