Editing 78-01-A7 (section)

=== Transcript ===
In signing the Helsinki pact we gave the Russians something they've wanted
for 35 years. In effect, we recognized the Soviet Union's right to hold captive
the Eastern and Central European nations they have ruled since World War II. We
signed the pact apparently because of one clause which had to do with human rights.
Those making the decision to sign claimed the Soviet Union by its signature had
agreed to let people have some (if not all) of the rights the rest of us take for
granted. They are (for example) supposed to be able to leave the Soviet Union
and the captive nations if they choose. But the Russians make promises; they don't
keep them.

For more than three decades now we've referred to the Iron Curtain countries
as the captive nations. Each year we have proclaimed a Captive Nations week to
remind the world and ourselves that the Soviet Union holds millions of people in
bondage.

This year as Captive Nations week drew near, there was no proclamation from
the White House--only silence.

Then Americans of Central and Eastern origin brought pressure to bear and a
weak, meaningless Presidential message was released. It pleased no one but the
Russians.

The U.N. Human Rights commission in Geneva faced an American motion calling
on the U.N. to question the Soviet Union about implementation of the human rights
clause of the U.N. Charter. But then our chief delegate withdrew the motion
before it could be brought to a vote.

Now comes an act of symbolism which has shocked every American of Captive
Nation descent and those of Hungarian descent particularly. I'm talking about the
Crown of St. Stephen. It was first used in the coronation of Hungary's King
Stephen (now Saint Stephen) by the Pope nearly a thousand years ago. It has come
to have an aura of mysticism about it with both religious and nationalistic
significance to the people of Hungary. Most significant, it is symbolic of the
legitimacy of Hungarian government.

At the end of World War II we liberated Hungary from the Nazi's but under the
deal made at Teheran turned it over to the Russians.

Our departing forces were asked to take the Crown of St. Stephen to keep the
Russians from getting it and hold it in trust until Hungary was once again free.
For more than 34 years it has been kept in the vaults at Ft. Knox.

Now the White House has declared this crown which confers legitimacy and the
blessings of Heaven upon Hungarian government to be the rightful property of the
Godless, Communist rulers of that captive land.

At Tehran we sold a freedom not ours to sell. Now we give legitimacy not
ours to give to an illegitimate government. Are we really serious about human rights?

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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