For partial information on the above-mentioned subject, please consult Response to Information Request ROM19080.E of 14 December 1994.

In a telephone interview on 2 February 1995, a lecturer in east European studies at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at the University of London, provided the following information. The lecturer has heard of anecdotal evidence and reports, which he regards as trustworthy, indicating that the situation of ethnic Hungarians in the armed forces is generally worse than for non-Hungarians. He stated that Hungarians in the armed forces may be the victims of bullying, that there is no consistency in how they are treated, and that their treatment may depend upon how individual officers react to them.

In a telephone interview on 3 February 1995, a professor of Romanian studies at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at the same university provided the following information. The professor stated that he had not heard reports of any conscripts in the armed forces being discriminated against on the basis of their ethnicity. The professor added, however, that for security reasons it would be unlikely for an ethnic Hungarian to be appointed to a sensitive security post in the armed forces.

For additional information on the situation of ethnic Hungarians in the armed forces, please consult the attachment.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Lecturer in east European studies, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London, England. 2 February 1995. Telephone interview.

Professor of Romanian studies, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London, England. 3 February 1995. Telephone interview.

Magyar Nemzet [Budapest, in Hungarian]. 22 December 1994. "Minister Denies 'Militarization' of Szeklerland." (FBIS-EEU-94-248 27 December 1994, p. 38)