Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BUDAPEST1078
2007-07-03 07:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
CUBA CONFERENCE DRAWS SUPPORT ACROSS PARTY LINES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0012 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUP #1078 1840707 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 030707Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1519 INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0012
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 001078
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA - SHAPIRO AND MCCARRY; EUR FOR NCE; G
STAFF FOR FERRAO; PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2012
TAGS: PREL KDEM PHUM HU
SUBJECT: CUBA CONFERENCE DRAWS SUPPORT ACROSS PARTY LINES
Classified By: P/E COUNSELOR ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 001078
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA - SHAPIRO AND MCCARRY; EUR FOR NCE; G
STAFF FOR FERRAO; PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2012
TAGS: PREL KDEM PHUM HU
SUBJECT: CUBA CONFERENCE DRAWS SUPPORT ACROSS PARTY LINES
Classified By: P/E COUNSELOR ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) The Cuba Conference planned by the GoH and hosted
by the International Center on Democratic Transition (ICDT)
June 26 - 29 received favorable press coverage and strong
statements of support across Hungary's political spectrum.
2. (SBU) In addition to the formal schedule, which
highlighted Hungary's experiences through presentations by
figures active in the system change of 1989-90,
representatives of the Cuban opposition groups attending met
with FM Goncz and the senior leadership of coalition and
opposition parties. Of particular note was the agreement of
FIDESZ leader Viktor Orban to begin a "sponsorship" program
to assist the families of political prisoners in Cuba and to
publicize their cases in the international media. Orban told
Ambassador Foley that he regards this program as "a personal
obligation." Cuban representatives also met with senior
officials from the junior coalition SZDSZ party and with Dr.
Ibolya David, leader of the opposition MDF party.
3. (C) Comment: The low-key approach to the conference
advocated by the MFA has, in our view, produced significant
results in highlighting the Cuba issue for the Hungarian
public. More importantly, it has generated multipartisan
support for Hungary's engagement in the issue, with the
parties all but openly competing to give the Cuban delegation
the warmest welcome. MFA officials continue to express their
thanks for our understanding re their approach to the
conference, and we believe the absence of a high-profile US
delegation kept the focus appropriately on the Cuban
opposition. We will use the unanticipated degree of public
support across the political spectrum to encourage the GoH to
take further steps on Cuba. End Comment.
FOLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA - SHAPIRO AND MCCARRY; EUR FOR NCE; G
STAFF FOR FERRAO; PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2012
TAGS: PREL KDEM PHUM HU
SUBJECT: CUBA CONFERENCE DRAWS SUPPORT ACROSS PARTY LINES
Classified By: P/E COUNSELOR ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) The Cuba Conference planned by the GoH and hosted
by the International Center on Democratic Transition (ICDT)
June 26 - 29 received favorable press coverage and strong
statements of support across Hungary's political spectrum.
2. (SBU) In addition to the formal schedule, which
highlighted Hungary's experiences through presentations by
figures active in the system change of 1989-90,
representatives of the Cuban opposition groups attending met
with FM Goncz and the senior leadership of coalition and
opposition parties. Of particular note was the agreement of
FIDESZ leader Viktor Orban to begin a "sponsorship" program
to assist the families of political prisoners in Cuba and to
publicize their cases in the international media. Orban told
Ambassador Foley that he regards this program as "a personal
obligation." Cuban representatives also met with senior
officials from the junior coalition SZDSZ party and with Dr.
Ibolya David, leader of the opposition MDF party.
3. (C) Comment: The low-key approach to the conference
advocated by the MFA has, in our view, produced significant
results in highlighting the Cuba issue for the Hungarian
public. More importantly, it has generated multipartisan
support for Hungary's engagement in the issue, with the
parties all but openly competing to give the Cuban delegation
the warmest welcome. MFA officials continue to express their
thanks for our understanding re their approach to the
conference, and we believe the absence of a high-profile US
delegation kept the focus appropriately on the Cuban
opposition. We will use the unanticipated degree of public
support across the political spectrum to encourage the GoH to
take further steps on Cuba. End Comment.
FOLEY