Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir made a one-day, secret, unexpected and unannounced visit to Budapest on Monday.
It was first disclosed by a foreign newspaper after his arrival there Monday night and confirmed in a one-line acknowledgment by the Hungarian news agency.
The surprise visit of the Israeli leader to Hungary, one of the East bloc nations that broke ties with Israel following the 1967 Six-Day War, fuels speculation that the two countries are about to resume diplomatic ties.
Speculation was also raised that the purpose was part of Hungary’s ongoing effort to solicit Israeli help — in Washington and with Jewish investors — to channel economic aid and investment to Hungary.
Shamir, who flew to Hungary aboard a private executive jet, was accompanied by Justice Minister Dan Meridor and his military aide, Brig. Gen. Azriel Nevo. They were due back in Israel Tuesday evening.
Ma’ariv reported Tuesday that Shamir’s visit had been planned before he went to Washington earlier this month.
Israel Radio added that details had been finalized over the weekend during a short visit to Israel by Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs.
Observers all agreed Tuesday that the premier’s visit was undertaken with the full knowledge of the Soviet Union, which approved the subjects to be discussed during talks in Budapest.
PREDICTS IMPROVED RELATIONS
During his visit here, Kovacs agreed on a number of joint economic ventures and predicted improved diplomatic relations in the near future.
Shamir himself paid a private but well-publicized visit to Hungary last September.
Avi Pazner, Shamir’s spokesman, told Israel Radio that the initial secrecy about Shamir’s trip had been requested by the Hungarians.
Pazner added that Shamir would undoubtedly use the opportunity of his Budapest visit to brief Hungary, and through Hungary other East European countries, on details of Shamir’s Middle East peace plan.
While most speculation centered on bilateral matters and renewed relations between Israel and Hungary, there was also speculation that Shamir’s visit might be linked to the Arab-Israeli peace process, and that the Hungarians may be hosting a discreet meeting between Shamir and an Arab or Palestinian figure.
In February, Hungarian Prime Minister Miklos Nemeth said his country intended to restore diplomatic relations with Israel in the next five months.
Israeli sources believe that such a move would set a precedent for Poland and other Eastern bloc nations to follow. All Eastern-bloc nations, with the exception of Romania, broke ties with Israel following the 1967 war.
The World Jewish Congress announced last month that it would be opening an office in Budapest in July, the first WJC bureau in a Communist country.
Although the WJC would not formally confirm that ties between Israel and Hungary were being firmed up during Shamir’s visit, WJC executive director Elan Steinberg said, “By the time the WJC Budapest office opens in mid-July, full diplomatic relations between Hungary and Israel will have been established.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
