(1 Feb 1996) Hungarian/English
NATO and the Hungarian government are to sign a deal to placate villagers living near a U-S army base in Hungary.
The people of Taszar are blaming the American military for damage to their homes and they want compensation.
They are also bitter after a local man was killed in a car crash with an American who works at the base.
Taszar is the site of the support base for American troops in Bosnia.
Now there are more troops than locals.
When three thousand soldiers moved in last December, they were welcomed with open arms. But since then relations have soured.
These children have lost their father. Last month (20th January) he was killed in a car crash.
His vehicle collided with another driven by an American contractor who works at the base. The man's wife and sister-in-law were also injured.
Now the children are being looked after by their grandparents.
SOUNDBITE: Hungarian
"My younger daughter told me in the hospital that we shouldn't be angry with this American. Surely he didn't want to cause this accident. Well I agree that he didn't want to do it."
SUPER CAPTION: Bernhardt Imre, Father-in-law of deceased man
The 31-year-old American contractor Paul Anthony Carmace is employed by Brown and Root. The company has expressed its remorse.
SOUNDBITE: English
"We have been in contact with the family. And we are also making arrangements for any claims that might come out of this accident. The individual, the Brown and Root employee involved is extremely remorseful and as you know his trial is pending."
SUPER CAPTION: Jack Avant, Brown and Root
But the accident is not the only concern of the people of Taszar.
They say their homes are being ruined by the convoys of military vehicles rumbling through the village.
They point to cracks that have appeared in the brickwork.
Such damage is not only the grumble.
SOUNDBITE: Hungarian
"I know this road wasn't built for such traffic and this continuous noise is very disturbing, you can't sleep at night. Last night for example some very heavy machinery passed by."
SUPER CAPTION: Bolla Ferencne, Resident
The complaints even prompted Hungary's Interior Minister Kuncze Gabor to visit the village and see the damage for himself.
Five days ago (27th January) a new bypass road was officially opened.
It is hoped the bypass will make life a little more pleasant for the locals.
SOUNDBITE: English
"The cost of the road is about 400-thousand dollars so it is a significant amount of money but we understand the importance to the people here that they have an opportunity to have a bypass route that goes around the city."
SUPER CAPTION: Lieutenant Colonel Ron Williams, U-S Army
Next week the Hungarian government is due to sign a deal with NATO covering claims for compensation.
In the meantime the U-S army has thrown open the base to the people of Taszar to try and patch up relations.
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28 авг 2024
