MUST QUIT BUDAPEST

Chronicle (Levin), 27 September 1949, Page 5

MUST QUIT BUDAPEST

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— Reuter.

Hungary Expels Yugoslav Legation Staff

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Received Tuesday, 11.20 a.m. BUDAPEST, Sept. 26. Hungary tonight ordered the summary expulsion of practically every remaining member of the Yugoslav Legation staff in Budapest because the Legation is the centre of espionage and conspiracy. Ten representatives, including the first counsellor, Mr. Du' Sansakota, the military attache and the clerical 'and commercial staffs, are covered by the 24-hour warning. Almost the ^only Yugoslav diplomat not affected is the Minister himself, Mr. Rrujo Jovanovic. The order was contained in a sharply-worded note handed to the Yugoslav Legation tonight. It reiterated the charges made at the recent trial of Laszlo Rajk for a Yugoslav conspiracy against the Hungarian Government. It rejected as "arrogant'' Marshal Tito's note j of last Saturday, whieh -protested • against the Rajk trial. I The order declared that because it "has been proved that the Yugoslav Legation in Budapest is the centre of espionage and conspiracy, the Hungarian Government has decided to put an end to this untenable situation." The note concluded: "The .Hungarian Government herewith notifies tlie Yugoslav Government that in future it will take care that no " spies and hired assassins should enter Hungary in the guise of Yugoslav diplomats." The term "hired assassins" referred to a charge made during the Raik trial that two "experts in political assassination" had been sent to Hungary last year as members of the Yugoslav Legation. The actual task of these men, it was alleged, was to prepare for the assassination of the Hungarian Vice-Premier and Communist leader, Dr. Matyas Rakosi, and other party chiefs. The expulsion note ordered those named in it to leave Hungary by tomorrow evening.