LOST IN TRANSLATION: PM GYURCSANY'S MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 002161 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR DAMON WILSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2011 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HU SUBJECT: LOST IN TRANSLATION: PM GYURCSANY'S MEETING WITH U.S. DELEGATION TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS Classified By: POL/C Eric V. Gaudiosi; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Prime Minister Gyurcsany met with the members of the U.S. delegation to the 50th anniversary commemorative events October 22. The delegation and Ambassador Foley underscored the USG's support for democratic reform and our confidence in Hungary's future per the Secretary's recent conversation with Foreign Minister Goncz. Far from a brief courtesy call, a visibly fatigued and anxious Gyurcsany used the 45-minute meeting to seek NY Governor Pataki's advice on managing the GoH's package of reforms. ¶2. (SBU) Gyurcsany opened the meeting by reflecting on the anniversary as both a historical event and as a "mirror in which we see ourselves today." He referred frankly to the "tough political fight" with the opposition, but emphasized his desire to "make sure the picture includes all colors." ¶3. (U) Governor Pataki recalled watching the events of 1956 as a young man and referred to the uprising as "the only time I ever saw my father cry." The experience remains with him to this day and inspires the entire world. Delegates Peter Gogolak and Steven Udvar-Hazy recalled their own paths from Hungary to the United States in the aftermath of the uprising, expressing their hope that the anniversary would help unite the nation behind the reforms necessary to ensure long-term prosperity. ¶4. (C) Referring to the present situation as his "toughest time in office" and commenting on the Governor's combination of "youth and experience," Gyurcsany frankly asked for his advice after 12 years of leading New York state. Governor Pataki noted that all leaders must remain consistent in their beliefs despite adversity. "The process can be brutal," he commented, but only those who "have the courage to act and not just talk" and to "admit their mistakes" will achieve long-term results. He had endured bad polls and public protests by focusing on "doing what's right - not on reelection." Ultimately, you have to believe in what you're doing and remember that "being a good leader is more important than being a popular one." Drawing on his experience in the private sector, Mr. Udvar-Hazy remarked that "the whole world is watching Hungary" as the nations of 
the region struggle with the economic reforms necessary to truly cement the political transition of the past decade. Although no one party dominates the political scene, he commented, the government bears responsibility for trying to solve the nation's problems and must "do what is right." Ambassador Foley underscored the necessity of reform, the support of the EU and financial sector for the government's program, and the strength of Hungary's democratic institutions. ¶5. (C) Gyurcsany described Hungary's long period of "leadership without courage or clarity," conceding that people are "partly right" to mistrust the government and confirming the government's "moral responsibility" to address the public's concerns. He expressed complete confidence in his reform program, and professed not to care about his lack of popularity in the short term. The underlying question, he believes, is "how to make the people accept more responsibility" and break the popular expectation that "you can win without competing." He lamented Hungary's weak historical tradition of capitalism after centuries of maintaining "social peace" through paternalistic policies. Hungarians cannot remain dependent on the state and succeed in the 21st century. ¶6. (C) Governor Pataki agreed, noting that Hungarians must find a way to regard their future with the optimism necessary to take risks. This will require a fundamental change in attitude, but such change is possible: New Yorkers had recognized the imperative of promoting individual responsibility and endured difficult times to make the necessary investment in a brighter future. He underscored the importance of framing reform not as "gloom and doom" but as the only way forward. This, Gyurcsany concluded with a rueful smile, "is a very American solution" but not necessarily one which translates well into Hungarian. ¶7. (C) Comment: As members of the delegation later confided, they had no particular regard for Gyurcsany before the meeting and expected a glib and perhaps superficial performance from the Prime Minister. They met a clearly tired and troubled Prime Minister who has changed greatly in office and is still changing as he confronts renewed violence (septel) and entrenched opposition. As Mr. Gogolak commented, Gyurcsany appears to be "looking for the core beliefs that some leaders just have." His speech to visiting dignitaries in Parliament was eloquent on paper but lacked BUDAPEST 00002161 002 OF 002 energy in its delivery, and the government seemed behind the curve in its communication strategy throughout the weekend. (They failed, for example, to take full advantage of the meeting with the U.S. delegation in the media.) Gyurcsany's deflated mood contrasted sharply with that of FIDESZ leader Orban, who aggressively pursued opportunities to meet with Governor Pataki throughout the weekend. Although polls indicate concern over Monday's violence (septel),it is the opposition which appears to be on the offensive. ¶8. (C) Comment Continued: In their meeting with the Prime Minister and throughout their public remarks, the delegation eloquently and effectively reinforced the USG's strong support for reform and its faith in a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Hungary per FM Goncz's recent discussions with the Secretary. Given their very personal ties to Hungary, this message will have particular resonance here. That said, Gyurcsany seems far from confident that he will be able to import a solution to Hungary's current political and economic problems, no matter how expert the source. End Comment. FOLEY