Gyurcsany
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP):
Hundreds of riot police streamed into the capital from the countryside yesterday, bolstering forces braced for a new wave of riots set off by the prime minister's leaked admission that his government repeatedly lied to the public about the health of the economy.
By nightfall, an estimated 10,000 people, some waving Hungarian flags, had gathered in Kossuth Square, the vast plaza by the neo-Gothic parliament buildings. There were no signs of violence, but some of the demonstrators said they planned to spend the night in the square.
Security was bolstered nonetheless. Police had been caught unawares early yesterday by the fury of a few hundred people who had broken away from the main group of protesters and stormed the state television building, pushing officers with protective helmets, clubs and shields out of their way. Several nearby cars were set on fire, their flames scorching the building and damaging furniture inside.
The demonstrations the worst public unrest since Hungary's anti-Soviet revolution 50 years ago shook a country that for much of its last two decades had been held up as the model of post-Soviet bloc progress.
Still, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, whose taped and leaked comments admitting his government had "lied morning, evening and night" about the economy had provoked the fury said he intended to weather the storm.
"I'm staying and I'm doing my job. I'm extremely committed to fulfilling my program, fiscal adjustments and reforms," Gyurcsany told The Associated Press. "I know it's very difficult for the people, but it's the only direction for Hungary."
About 150 people were injured, including 102 police officers, one of whom suffered serious head injuries, in what Gyurcsany described as his country's "longest and darkest night" since the end of communist rule in 1989. Hospital officials said the officer was resting after having bone splinters removed from his skull cavity.
Gyurcsany condemned the 'vandalism' of 2,000 to 3,000 protesters who fought police and invaded Hungarian television headquarters, but said he had complete confidence in the police's ability to restore order.
A third night of protests appeared likely Tuesday evening. Hundreds of police were sent to the capital's downtown Pest area to help reinforce forces posted at government buildings. Gyurcsany issued orders to top police commanders to use all means at their disposal to prevent violence while respecting the democratic right to freedom of expression.
The outpouring of rage also was linked to austerity measures Gyurcsany's Socialist-led coalition has implemented in order to rein in a state budget deficit expected to surpass 10 per cent of gross domestic product this year the largest in the European Union.
The Government has raised taxes and announced plans to lay off scores of state employees, and introduce direct fees in the health sector and tuition for most university students.
Until the scandal suddenly broke this weekend, the 45-year-old Gyurcsany had been the Socialist Party's golden boy a youthful, charismatic leader promising to lead his nation to the prosperity as a full EU member. His friends include U.S. President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain
His coalition with the Alliance of Free Democrats in April became the first Hungarian government to win re-election since the return to democracy in 1990.
The violence came after a mainly peaceful protest outside parliament attended by several thousand people began late Sunday, when a recording made in May was leaked to local media in which Gyurcsany admitted to repeatedly having lied to the country about the true state of the Hungarian economy to win April's elections.
Gyurcsany's comments made to the Socialists' group of parliamentary deputies were full of crude remarks and called into doubt the abilities of some of Hungary's most respected economic experts.
"We screwed up. Not a little, a lot," Gyurcsany was heard saying. "No European country has done something as boneheaded as we have. ... I almost died when for a year and a half we had to pretend we were governing. Instead, we lied morning, evening and night."
He said the economy had been kept afloat through "divine providence, the abundance of cash in the world economy and hundreds of tricks." Incidents started.
The origin of the leak remains murky and some have speculated that it may even have come from Gyurcsany's own office, although the prime minister denies that.
Confronted with initial excerpts of the 25-minute recording which Hungarian state radio put up on its Web site Sunday afternoon, Gyurcsany not only acknowledged their authenticity but seemed relieved they had been made public fuelling rumours that he was involved in the leak but something he later denied.
Gyurcsany may be hoping the scandal could work in his favour by revealing the full extent of Hungary's economic malaise and casting him in the role of its saviour.
Police were controlling access to the area around the TV building which also includes the National Bank of Hungary and the U.S. Embassy.
AP-NY-09-19-06 1432EDT
