VZCZCXRO5435
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHUP #0036/01 0221602
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221602Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4827
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 000036
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE MOORE AND EUR/ERA LIZ KONICK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AF BH IR PK SO HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S COMMENTS ON THE JANUARY FAC AGENDA
REF: KONICK JANUARY 16 EMAIL
BUDAPEST 00000036 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) MFA EU External Relations and Crisis Situations
Section Chief Andras Dekany discussed ref email topics with
PolEconOff on January 22.
2. (SBU) Dekany provided comments on the following topics:
Afghanistan/Pakistan, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, and
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
-- Afghanistan/Pakistan: The GOH shares our desire for a
successful London Conference on January 28, which Hungarian
Foreign Minister Peter Balazs plans to attend. According to
Dekany, the final version of the EU Action Plan, which was
presented in outline form at the October GAERC, will be ready
in time for the Conference. Hungary would like President
Karzai to present a detailed plan for dealing with corruption
at the London Conference. At the FAC, Hungary plans to
emphasize Afghanistan's need for a trustworthy new cabinet in
due course which can cope with the country's security
challenges as well as the primary role that regional players
such as Pakistan have in ensuring conditions for stability
and lasting peace in Afghanistan. Preparations for upcoming
Afghan parliamentary elections should be closely linked to
the successful creation of a new cabinet, while the timing of
elections should be subject to further discussions with
partners in the international community.
-- Iran: The GOH concurs with the US position that the
international community must prevent Iran from obtaining a
military nuclear capability; this is the priority that guides
all other steps toward engaging with Iran. According to
Dekany, further consultations are needed regarding a new
UNSCR, as EU member states have not yet agreed on how best to
proceed. Hungary supports the early consideration of a new
UNSCR as well as concurrent discussions on possible EU
sanctions.
-- Yemen: The GOH supports the plan for a conference on Yemen
on the margins of the January 28 London Conference on
Afghanistan. Dekany noted, however, that Hungary was not
invited to participate in the Yemen discussions. In light of
Yemen's deteriorating internal situation and its impact on
regional stability and security, the GOH supports national
reconciliation in Yemen, with priority given to domestic
reforms that include firm counter-terrorism provisions.
Dekany noted, however, concerns on the part of the Yemeni
Government that internationalizing Yemen's domestic problems
could create a perception of dependency that could provide
political ammunition to domestic insurgents. Moreover,
according to Dekany, improved border controls and Yemen's
integration into the GCC is essential to regional stability.
-- Somalia: Dekany reported that Hungary plans to offer
personnel - one staff officer and six NCO trainers - to the
EU training mission in Uganda. The EU approach to Somalia
will be guided by the EU Strategy on the Horn of Africa.
Moreover, according to Dekany, a commitment by the Somali
government and African ownership would both be essential to
stability and lasting peace in Somalia. He added that the EU
has extended the mandate for EU operations against piracy off
the coast of Somalia through December 2010.
-- Bosnia-Herzegovina: Dekany emphasized the need for
tangible, but realistic results this year, including the
fulfillment of requirements for visa liberalization with the
EU as well as amendments to the constitution in accordance
with the December ruling by the European Court of Human
Rights. The GOH hopes for a decision on MAP and visas before
October, understanding that discussions within NATO are still
needed to harmonize varying approaches among the members.
Hungary strongly opposes secessionist rhetoric in Republika
Srpska and favors engaging Bosnia's neighbors to promote
stability. Hungary also supports bold steps, similar to
those taken previously in Serbia, to support election
campaigns for pro-EU forces. The GOH views the OHR as
incompatible with EU integration and as having reached the
limits of its usefulness under the status quo, but it
acknowledges that its closure is not realistic at present.
While it is necessary to consider all possibilities for a
stronger EU presence in Bosnia, EU unity and full harmony
with US efforts will be crucial to a successful transition.
He noted that Bosnian political elites are likely to attempt
to exploit any perceived divisions between Brussels and
Washington and emphasized that decoupling the OHR and EUSR is
a delicate matter that will require much internal discussion
among stakeholders.
-- Bosnia-Herzegovina (cont.): While numerous questions
pertaining to future troop withdrawals remain to be answered,
BUDAPEST 00000036 002.2 OF 002
Hungary plans to maintain its current level of troop
contribution as long as necessary and will contribute to new
training and capacity development tasks as the mission is
reconfigured. In any event, according to Dekany, EUFOR
drawdowns should not be conducted on the basis of
contributing countries' fatigue. Hungary favors a cautious
reconfiguration of ALTEA with due consideration given to
upcoming Bosnian parliamentary elections and KFOR withdrawals
and Hungary expects that ALTEA will need to retain some
executive functions following the elections.
KOUNALAKIS