IKKA, HUNGARIAN RELIEF ORGANIZATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-01634R000100110034-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 6, 2000
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: May 20, 1953
• Content Type: DISP

Approved For Release 2001/0 /7 28 : CIA-RDP78-0163
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FOREIGN SERVICE DESPATCH.
FROM : LONDON
TO TIIE DEPARTMENT OF STATE. WASIIINtiTON.
REF
For Dept.
Use Only
DEPT.
10 NO'; 7-YPE IN THIS SPACE
86I a46i4/5-2o53
xR 864-49
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I,, Hungarian Relief Organization
The Foreign Office has asked us orally for information on our
attitude to Imo,, described as a Hungarian relief organization which
RECD
,gas for shipments of gift parcels to persons in Hungary.
According to the Foreign Office, IM has a branch in Zurich
through which persons may pay Swiss francs for the delivery of parcels
to persons in Hungary. The British Government some time ago decided
that British citizens could use this a ;ency and the Bank of England can
approve purchases of Swiss francs for this purpose. (Hungary will not
accept sterling in this connection.) Very small use of the agency is
made by persons in Britain. In the current year the total permitted has
been only #160? The Foreign Office believes the operation to be a
racket in which the Hungarian Government makes a large profit and allows
for the use of the donee only a small part of the money deposited for
his benefit. The Foreign Office would like to cancel the arrangement in
so far as donors in Britain are concerned, but in view of the humanitar-
ian aspects it expects considerable opposition to Its viewpoint.
It has heard that the agency has a branch in New York in which the
transactions amounted to some 2,pG002000 last year. It believes that
the organization is also criticized in the US and that consideration is
being given to terminating the operation there. It would appreciate any
information that can be obtained on our attitude to the organization and
our plans if any to restrict or terminate its activities in the US. Such
a report will assist the British in their approach to the matter.
on Requested:
Please supply the Embassy with information to enable it to reply to
tnIs inqu1ryo
CC: Budapest
L Bern
B, -Ulley
~ CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION COPY
01001 '00342___
Benjamin M. Huey
First Secretary of Embassy
I~,R000100110034-2
State Dept. d&ff