Bellus, Samuel, defector from the CSSR, 1948; director, RFE Czecho-Slovak service, 1976-

24 Jun 1981. Sig Mickelson interviews Samuel Bellus about his life and work with the Czech-Slovak service of Radio Free Europe. Recounting his biography, Bellus explains how he was a member of parliament who eventually escaped Czechoslovakia when the communists came to power. After escaping to the American embassy in Vienna, Austria, he became involved in Radio Free Europe. He does not go into depth about his escape because the people that helped him escape are still in Czechoslovakia. Instead of immediately going to Munich, he wished to go to America, learn the country, and become a citizen before working in Germany.

The conversation then turns to his work in the Czech-Slovak service. Bellus explains how he came to head the service, and talks about various aspects of his work, for example, the relationship between offices in New York, London, and Munich.

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Szabados, Josef, left Hungary, 1956; director, RFE Hungarian service, 1974-

24 Jun 1981. Sig Mickelson interviews Josef Szabados about his life and work with the Hungarian service of Radio Free Europe. On his biographical information, Szabados explains how he left Hungary in 1949 and started working at Radio Free Europe in an economic role. He talks a bit about the Free University.

The conversation quickly turns to the Hungarian service. Szabados says he learned his broadcasting skills while working at RFE, having worked in the general organization before joining a specific language service. He talks about the challenges and successes of putting together an effective organization. He says the service modifies is material to appeal to the Hungarian listeners. He describes the quality control process at the service.

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Michalowski, Zy'gmuntsound, director, RFE Polish service (1980)

18 Dec 1980. The content of this interview is similar to that covered with Bellus and Szabados, but focused on Poland instead of Czechoslovakia or Hungary.