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