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

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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