Professor Christopher Ball teaches at the Business School of Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. In 2013 he was handpicked by then Hungarian Ambassador György Szapáry, an Orbán confidant, to serve as Honorary Consul.
Prof. Christopher Ball (left) with ex-Ambassador György Szapáry.
Professor Ball, Director of the Central European Institute and István Széchenyi Chair in International Economics, lived in Hungary for a couple of years but does not speak the language.
“My initial reaction when asked to accept the position was, ‘But I’m not Hungarian!'” Ball said. “I am a proud American and have no ethnic connection to Hungary. Once they explained that an honorary consul is precisely someone who is a non-Hungarian but helps Hungary and Hungarians and promotes relations between the countries, then I was much more interested. When they explained that this was in many ways recognizing my work for many years, I was honestly honored. I still am.”
Remarkably, given Quinnipiac close relations with the Orbán government, Professor Ball has recently spoken out against the campaign against the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest. Professor Ball explained that the actions against CEU are widely perceived as anti-American and hurt Hungary’s relations with the U.S.
Just a reminder. In April 2017 the ruling Fidesz party voted in a bill that has become known as Lex CEU. The bill would effectively shut down the US-accredited CEU that has operated in Budapest for decades. The Orbán government calls the university a “breeding ground for liberals.” The government also vilifies George Soros, Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor, US billionaire and CEU’s founder.
As Ball explains these government actions have backfired.
Hungary is running out of time; Lex CEU should have been withdrawn months ago. As Mr. Ball correctly notes, the US administration perceives it as an attack on an American university; it is simply anti-American.
György Lázár
Nonsense!!!
That is all nothing but a newest twist in the propaganda warfare. With a new name being exploited.
Just how the hell could it be “anti-Amarican”?
This piece can not even give a hint.
It’s all B.S.
Let’s get real HFP !
Please come up some interesting subject on any field.
How about the situation in Venezuala?
What will come of the North Korean nuclear treath? that bearlly missed a French airliner?
Or the latest achievement in removing diffective gene in embrionic research.
Or anything positive that may help or advance some human interest?!
Please !
I hate to say, but the hungarian government would jubilate if the CCCP won the cold war. They are the product of the communist system.
Dear Mr Lazar:
Please stop referring to Soros as a Holocaust survivor! Actually, he sure did survive the Holocaust years as opposed to the Hungarian Jews he helped send to the ovens!!!!!
Time for topics that pertain to these troubled times: environment : 90 degree weather in Seattle!! Budapest! Fires burning up the forests- Korea dog eating market: what primitive people those must be. And all the other news…. thank you!!!
What a wonderful range of opinions from the lunatic asylum seekers above. They seem to hang on every word of Mr. Lazar, even the ones he does not utter. How bout telling us a bit about artificial intelligence Mr Bendeguz ? You seem to be chock full of that.
The Orbán regime is not simply anti-American (i.e. opposed to the values that made America great) but is opposed to the values that are at the core of the European Union. It is a Rule of Law violator. It operates a Maffia State, instead of a Democracy. On May 17 of this year a majority of EU members of Parliament voted to begin infringement procedures against this rogue regime – the first time this has ever been resorted to by the European Union. The clowns above are the folks that help sustain Orbán’s lunacy.
Andràs G
Orban’s fascist regime is also inhuman, i.e. anti-people, as the increasing poverty, appalling health stats and deteriorating social indicators, etc show.
Yes, Bendeguz and Co can start with simple intelligence before delving into AI and if whoever is Curious about all the world news he can start reading BBC, CNN, NBC etc news.
HFP is about Hungary (as its name should indicate to any intelligent person).
Only Fox News thank you Observer!
Never rely on the fake channels, thank you very much.
Ah, Faux News, that explains it, but in this case you’re not curious at all, rather a faithful dupe (or worse).
In the article I incorrectly noted that Prof. Ball does not speak Hungarian. He does indeed…
The school that you mention is accredited by New York State – not America. You should know better!
To the editor: Why do yo continue to provide a platform for idiots like bendeguz and curious george?