Discussion Of "Agent Fates" at the Book Launch of NEB

According to the authors of the book the activities of the state security authorities were assisted by individuals who were not in formal attachment with them. The best known group of these external associates who received the most attention from the public is composed of what are known as informers or snitches. In the official terminology of the state security authorities it was the Network or earlier known as the Agency.

Since the political transition many have considered that the list of individuals who were integral part of the network should be made public. Is that a legitimate expectation? There is no easy way of answering that question with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. The wish that the willing collaborators of the political police should be made public can be easily be seen as justified, but then immediately the question arises: which historical resources can serve as basis for the public disgrace and which forum is appropriate based on an assumed social agreement.

The book launch of 'Agent Fates Agents? Fates? The Multiplicity of Network Existence and Limits of Knowledge' was held yesterday and generated a great deal of interest in Centrál Café in Budapest on 14th June.