Hungarian official marks Madefalva Massacre anniversary in Romania

Balazs Orban, state secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, attended a commemoration at Siculeni (Madefalva), in central Romania, on Monday, marking the anniversary of a massacre in which hundreds of Szekler Hungarians were slain by Austrian troops 255 years ago. In his address, held at a monument recently renewed with Hungarian assistance, the state secretary said that "no empire should consider Hungarians as second-rate citizens", and he assured ethnic Hungarians across the Carpathian Basin of his government's support. Hungary "now has a government which has learnt the lessons of history and will promote the interests of Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin through sober compromises, strong representation and perseverance rather than through militant ranting," the state secretary said.