HUNGARIAN UPDATE FOR JANUARY 26 INFORMAL NATO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000101 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE AND EUR/RPM; PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2012 TAGS: NATO PINS PREL MARR MOPS SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN UPDATE FOR JANUARY 26 INFORMAL NATO FOREIGN MINISTERIAL REF: SECSTATE 7434 Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) USAID hosted a PRT for senior GoH interagency representatives in Budapest January 23. Post capitalized on the meeting to review reftel points with representatives from the MFA's Office of Security Policy, highlighting our commitment to provide significant new resources and our call on Allies to do more to reinforce success, particularly through quick-impact projects and robust public diplomacy efforts. ¶2. (C) MFA representatives expressed their thanks for our update and reviewed recent steps to increase their contributions in Afghanistan: The rotation of Hungary's PRT contingent is underway, and the incoming force will include participation from Croatia, Bulgaria, and Slovakia. The GoH hopes this will be a prelude to greater contributions in future rotations, further broadening and deepening international participation in Afghanistan stabilization and reconstruction as well as strengthening regional mil-mil relations. The shipment of over 20,000 assault rifles pledged to Afghan Security Forces at Riga has departed Hungary. ¶3. (C) In a separate conversation January 22, MFA Senior State Secretary Marta Fekszi told the DCM that Hungary is planning to add a Defense Attache to its Mission in Pakistan. The DATT's remit will include coordination with the PRT and allow the GoH to assist in efforts to foster regional cooperation. Fekszi also indicated that the PM has agreed to give the MFA the lead on coordinating the GoH's civilian implementation efforts. This should help the GoH follow through on its existing commitments and finalize its assistance programs. ¶4. (C) MFA reps also look forward to discussion of Kosovo, and asked if Secretary Rice will be prepared to review her recent trip to the Middle East, an issue of interest given FM Goncz's plans to visit the region in early February. They regard the broader question of NATO-EU cooperation as related to the question of improving civilian cooperation in Afghanistan and may raise the issue in this broader context. ¶5. (SBU) Post is awaiting a response to Ambassador Foley's request to meet with FM Goncz before her departure for Brussels, and will use that meeting to further reinforce our message on Afghanistan and Kosovo. Minimize Considered. FOLEY